Tips on How to Plant a Tree
Trees are basically planted in the same way. It is best to plant during the late winter months when the sap is not too active in around the tree or when the average temperature reaches above 12º C.
When planting a tree you have to keep in mind the trauma to the roots that you will be causing. Start by digging a hole much bigger than the root area of the tree itself.
In on the sides of the hole should be dug even a bit deeper to loosen up the soil to help promote root growth.
This hole should be dug preferably two months before, the loose soil around the hole and the soil in the hole itself contains bacteria and with the action and heat of the sun this bacteria will be mostly killed giving a better and healthier chance for the tree to grow.
Drive a guiding pole into the bottom of the hole before you plant the tree in.
You guide the tree with the pole.
Put the tree in carefully and trim off any broken roots or to long ones with disinfected scissors.
Put a mass of enriched black earth in the middle of the hole and spread the roots round it.
Make sure that you plant the tree and it stays at the same level as the ground you’re working in.
Put in more black earth around the roots and stroke the soil gently into
them. Continue filling the hole until the roots are in close contact with the soil.
As the tree grows it will need a good and yearly supply of nutrients below, that´s why the enriched black earth.
The soil under the tree and around it must be firmed gently but never hardly compacted, if the soil gives away under the roots and leaves air pockets, the tree will shrivel in time and eventually die.
You should gently press each layer of broken up soil as you plant. When you have installed the roots to your satisfaction, toss more black earth in on top and press firmly.
Fragile roots will tear if you press to hard. With the hole completely filled in, and the soil heaped up a little, you can press a bit harder.
The guiding pole insures that no movement disrupts or tears the roots of the tree and new shoots once growth takes hold. If you live in a very windy place then two poles, one opposite side of each other would guarantee against wind breakage.
A tree must have water after it has been planted. Thick mulch of an organic matter or wood chippings on the soil around the tree to conserve moisture should be added.
Tie the tree to the pole with straps in a way that it will not choke or damage the bark and that as well will slide up the pole as the tree grows.