How To Plant Trees
While planting different types of trees differs 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 a digging hole, which is both too deep and too
narrow Too deep and the roots don’t have access
to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too
narrow and the root structure can’t expand
sufficiently to nourish and properly anchor the tree.
As a general rule, trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which
they were originally grown. The width of the hole should be at least 3 times the
diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots in the case of
bare root trees. This will provide the tree with enough worked earth for its root
structure to establish itself.
When digging in poorly drained clay soil, it is important
to avoid ‘glazing’. Glazing occurs when the sides and
bottom of a hole become smoothed forming a barrier,
through which water has difficulty passing. To break
up the glaze, use a fork to work the bottom and drag
the points along the sides of the completed hole. Also,
raising the bottom of the hole slightly higher than the surrounding area. This
allows water to disperse, reducing the possibility of water pooling in the planting
zone.
While planting different types of trees differs 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 a digging hole, which is both too deep and too
narrow Too deep and the roots don’t have access
to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too
narrow and the root structure can’t expand
sufficiently to nourish and properly anchor the tree.
As a general rule, trees should be transplanted no deeper than the soil in which
they were originally grown. The width of the hole should be at least 3 times the
diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots in the case of
bare root trees. This will provide the tree with enough worked earth for its root
structure to establish itself.
When digging in poorly drained clay soil, it is important
to avoid ‘glazing’. Glazing occurs when the sides and
bottom of a hole become smoothed forming a barrier,
through which water has difficulty passing. To break
up the glaze, use a fork to work the bottom and drag
the points along the sides of the completed hole. Also,
raising the bottom of the hole slightly higher than the surrounding area. This
allows water to disperse, reducing the possibility of water pooling in the planting
zone.
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