Planting and Watering Young Trees

Dig It:
As you dig, neatly pile the soil next to the hole so you can put the soil back in the hole after you put the tree in. The width of the hole should be about two times the width of the root ball and the depth should be equal to the length of the root ball. The "root ball" is the mass of fibers and roots at the end of the stem and it usually takes on the shape of the container that it's in. It is the only part of the tree that gets planted!

Prep It:
As you carefully remove the tree from its container, be careful to avoid pulling on the stem in a way that will rip roots at the base of the stem. Gently coarsen the root ball so that all the little roots are reaching outward so they can grow into the surrounding soil faster. IF the root ball is compacted and woody roots are growing in a circle, it may be necessary to cut them so they will change direction. Avoid planting any roots that grow in a circle.

Plant It:
The most common mistake when planting a tree is digging a hole which is too deep or too shallow. If the tree is planted too deep then the roots do not get enough air. If the tree is planted too shallow, the root ball will dry out and the tree will struggle or die. The zone on the bottom of the stem where the trunk flares out, and the roots begin, is very important. This zone must be placed just above the soil and always kept free of mulch.

Mind It:
After the tree is sitting in the hole at the proper depth you must cover the root ball with soil. Shovel the soil back into the hole evenly around the base of the root ball. Compress the soil as you go but do not use your foot tamp the soil down. Little roots do not grow into overly- compacted soil. Using use your water as you back fill will help to wash the water down and settle the soil better. Avoid air pockets in the bottom of the hole.

Water It:
Trees need 15-20 gallons of water per week, especially during the hot summer months! Set your water hose on a trickle and water slowly so the water penetrates the soil instead of running off. Water at the soil level directly at the roots to avoid wetting the leaves.

Mulch It:
Mulch conserves water by acting as a vapor barrier and shades the soil beneath it so that it remains cool. Mulch can be chipped branches ,bark chips, or leaf mulch from the City of Raleigh yard waste. The Yard Waste Center is located at 900 N. New Hope Road, off of Highway 64 East. Additional information may be obtained by calling 919.250.2728. Make a circle that is at least as wide as the edge of the tree. The mulch should be 4- 6 inches deep and is should NEVER be up against the trunk of the tree.

Never Top a Tree
Topping is the removal of limbs from the top of a tree and this practice injures a tree seriously while creating the potential for many future hazards. Large topping wounds invite disease and rot into the very heart of the tree making it more prone to breakage and insect invasion.