How to Plant a Tree for the Environment
- 1). Dig a large hole. The hole should be about three times wider than the diameter of the root ball of the tree, and should be deep enough for the space between the root ball and the trunk flares to be completely covered in dirt. The trunk flares are where the roots start to flare out from the trunk.
- 2). Remove any plastic wrappings from the tree and place it in the hole sticking straight up and down. If you place the tree slightly crooked in the hole, it will grow crooked for its whole life. Have someone view the tree from a distance to ensure it is straight. When lifting the tree, pick it up by the root ball rather than the trunk. The best time to plant your tree is in the spring or fall.
- 3). Fill the hole around the tree with the dirt you dug out. Fill the hole so it is two thirds of the way full, then pat it down. You can pat down the dirt by walking over it, or by pushing down with the shovel.
- 4). Fill the rest of the hole up and pat it down again. Make sure not to pat the dirt too hard to prevent breaking of the tree roots.
- 5). Tie the tree to a stake if it looks flimsy or weak: Hammer a stake into the ground about a foot away from the tree on each side. Tie a soft string from one stake to the tree, then to the other stake.
- 6). Cover the top of the soil around the trees with 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch. This helps trap moisture in the soil to keep the tree hydrated. Types of organic mulch include peat, pine needles and shredded bark.
- 7). Water your tree at least once a week, keeping the soil moist but not soaked.
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