How to Plant a Potted Tree and Tips for Planting Trees in Pots in the GroundĪn hour before you plant, water the tree to reduce transplant shock and make it easier to remove from the container. If your tree has a small root ball and seems to be top-heavy, stake it to provide enough support. Add water as you backfill.Īdd 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch to the edge of the tree's canopy. Then, water again. Then, pack it down to get rid of any air pockets. If the soil is lumpy, break it up a little before placing back in the hole. Hold the tree upright and refill the hole with the soil you just removed. Then, if there's a wire cage, remove at least the upper third of it.

It’s hard to tell the difference between synthetic and organic, and sometimes even organic burlap doesn’t decompose properly. Also, make sure the ground beneath the root ball is solid beneath the root ball so that the tree doesn’t settle lower because of its own weight.Ĭut the twine and remove the burlap around the base of the trunk and the top of the root ball. That’s called the root flare. The biggest mistake we see is people planting new trees too deep. Position your tree, so the area where the roots meet the trunk is at or slightly above the ground. To move your tree, roll it or hold it by the root ball– never the trunk or branches.ĭig a saucer-shaped hole as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide. How do you plant a tree wrapped in burlap? Generally, a sapling can be planted in 15 to 30 minutes while container-grown or burlap trees take an hour to plant. Planting the root flare too deep is the biggest tree planting mistake! Sometimes, you may have to partially remove the soil from the top of the container or root ball to even find the flare. Pay extra-close attention when positioning the tree depth around the root flare. Otherwise, place it in a cool, dark place that’s away from wind and direct sunlight, and keep the soil damp.īefore you begin digging, contact your utility or gas company to make sure there are no pipes or wires there. Plant your new tree as soon as you can to set your tree up for its best chance of survival. How to Plant a Potted Tree, Tree Seedling or Tree Wrapped in Burlap (Steps) Before you begin, read these tree planting tips. Let’s do this! Whether you’re planting a balled and burlap tree, a container-grown tree or a tree sapling, find step-by-step planting instructions below. Now, you just need to know how to plant a tree. You ventured out and hand-selected the perfect tree and found just the right place to plant it.

You asked yourself all the right questions about what tree is best for you.

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