HOW TO PLANT YOUR TREE.

Giving your trees the right attention from day one is essential for long and productive life. This means taking the time and care to plant your tree properly.   

While the method of planting different types of trees may differ in the details, all trees eventually end up in a hole, but not any old hole will do.

The most common mistake when planting a tree is to dig  a hole which is both too deep and too small. Too deep and the roots don’t have access to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too small and the root structure can’t expand sufficiently to feed and anchor the tree.

As a general rule, trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown, while the width of the hole should be at least 3 times the diameter of the root ball or container .

Tree stakes are essential for the first few years on most trees. Position the stake before planting, using a short stake to allow the tree to develop strength in the stem early on in life. Use a good quality ,wide rubber tree tie -  baler twine will NOT DO. The use of a mulch is beneficial - either compost, or a tree mat- biodegradable jute works well, preserving moisture and acting as a weed suppressant.

Planting Container Trees

Carefully remove the tree from the container and check the roots. If they are tightly compressed or ‘pot bound’, use your fingers to carefully tease the fine roots away and then spread the roots prior to planting. Loosening the root structure in this way is extremely important in the case of container plants. Failure to do so may result in the roots ‘girdling’, or going round in circles. At the very least, the roots will have difficulty expanding beyond the dimensions of the original container. We then recommend plunging the root ball in a bucket of water for an hour or so to make sure the roots fully absorb a good supply of water. Then position the tree in the planting spot.

Once the tree is seated in the hole, the original soil is then back-filled into the hole to the soil level of the container. Again, remember not to overly compress the back-filled soil, and certainly avoid stomping it with your feet. Compress gently using your hands instead.

Planting Bare-Rooted Trees

Planting bare-rooted trees is a little different as there is no soil surrounding the roots. Most importantly, plant as soon as possible. Inspect the roots to ensure that they are moist - it will help to plunge the roots into a bucket of water for an hour or so before planting.

Care should be taken to ensure that the roots are kept moist in the period between purchase and planting. Prune broken or damaged roots but save as much of the root structure as you can.

To plant, first build a cone of earth in the centre of the hole around which to lay the roots and then back fill with the soil, firming well. Make sure that when properly seated on this cone the tree is planted so that the trunk  is clearly visible and the ‘crown’, where the roots and top meet, is about two inches above the soil level. This is to allow for natural settling.

Fertilizers and Soil Amendments

A root-promoting fertilizer can help, but ensure that the fertilizer is not simply placed in the planting hole. Fertilize the soil around the planting hole as well. 

Mycrorhizal fungi are an extremely beneficial additive for newly planted trees. By adding this all-natural, symbiotic fungus to the soil, you can promote the growth of the root system by using natures best helpers, and discourage the establishment of damaging fungi that could hinder the tree's development. ‘ Rootgrow ‘is one of the best products.We also use ‘Symbio’, a Mycrorhizal endo & ecto root inoculant, which comes as a powder and can be easier to apply.