Planting Guide

So, you’ve just made the best decision of your life: to plant some trees! Maybe you’ve pick out the tree species and are just realizing wait – when should I plant this, where should I plant this… HOW should I plant this?! Well fear not, as the Rhode Island Tree Council has done this roughly 366,948 times and has some tips to share with you.

WHEN TO PLANT A TREE:

The two best seasons for tree planting are spring and fall. People are usually worried that a tree won’t make it through the winter, but trees go dormant then (akin to hibernation). The season that stresses tree out the most is typically summer, when a tree can dry out and overheat. Planting in the fall gives your tree 1. two growing seasons (fall and spring) which can really help roots take hold before summer and 2. a healthy level of precipitation. Make sure you have at least six weeks before freezing temperatures (so, early October is a good deadline).

Spring can be a good time to plant a tree as well. However, you risk it being 1. too rainy and therefore the soil not being stable enough and 2. not establishing itself strongly enough before the heatwave of the summer. However, one major bonus of spring is that many nurseries stock up during that time so there can be more to chose from.

WHERE TO PLANT A TREE:

The time of the year you plant your tree won’t matter if it ends up going in the wrong spot. Make sure it isn’t too close to existing structures. You’ll want to research how much sun, wind, water the tree prefers and pick a spot with those conditions. Lastly, you might want to call the free 811 service to make sure there aren’t any underground utilities that your tree’s roots will be disturbing.

HOW TO PLANT A TREE:

Trees will typically come in a container (generally plastic for temporary use), bare root (not grown in soil), or bagged and burlapped (B&B) (dug out of the ground and the roots and soil are being held together by burlap and wire). While they all have slight modifications of how to plant them, there are some general guidelines:

1. Plant your tree within a few days! And make sure to never let the roots completely dry out in the interim.
2. Dig your hole at least twice the size of the root ball/root mass.
3. The root collar (the area where the roots join the main stem) should be level or just above final grade after being planted.
4. Make sure the tree is straight! It will straighten out over time if slightly off, but best to start it off in the right direction.
5. Back-fill with existing moist soil.
6. Gently compact the soil.

A few things to note: if your tree came bare rooted it is especially advisable to stake the tree until the roots take hold. If your tree came in a container, make 4 vertical cuts in the cardinal directions by the roots. The roots most likely are too compacted from being confined to a container, by cutting them you not only stimulate root growth, but prevent girdling (when roots encircle other roots or the tree and choke it, causing injury or death). If your tree was B&B don’t remove the burlap until after the tree goes in the hole.

WATERING:

The tree will be in stress after being transplanted- the best thing to do is give it adequate water. Water directly at the base so the root’s directly take the water instead of nearby vegetation or evaporation. Roughly one gallon of water is needed per inch of diameter on the trunk.

MULCHING:

Mulch will help keep the tree moist and happy. Use up to 4” and keep space between the trunk and the mulch.  

Below are some drawings that give extra information about how to plant your tree, be it on a hill or on flat ground.

Lastly, make sure to enjoy yourself! Planting a tree does SO MUCH for the surrounding area. It doesn’t just add beauty throughout the season, it provides shelter and food for wildlife, dampens the urban heat island effect, filters water, captures carbon, promotes healthy soil, prevents erosion and so much more. So step back, take a look at your tree and pat yourself on the back for doing something wonderful today.