Plant a TREE

We plant trees for lots of reasons, to mark occasions, to have a picnic under, to make an enchanted forest, to hang a birdhouse from, to make books from, to grow your own free snacks, to climb and catch a view that would otherwise get missed. Trees support and sustain biodiversity, attracting animals, birds and mammals and they sustain us - without them life would be near impossible on planet earth; they soak up harmful carbon dioxide emissions by converting them into oxygen. Planting trees is one of the most basic of environmental acts.



3. Identify the trunk flare. The trunk flare is where the roots spread at the base of the tree. This point should be partially visible after the tree has been planted

4. Remove tree container for containerized trees.

5. Place the tree at the proper height. Before placing the tree in the hole, check to see that the hole has been dug to the proper depth and no more. The majority of the roots on the newly planted tree will develop in the top 12 inches of soil.

6. Straighten the tree in the hole. Before you begin backfilling, have someone view the tree from several directions to confirm that the tree is straight.

7. Fill the hole gently but firmly. Fill the hole about one-third full and gently but firmly pack the soil around the base of the root ball.


9. Mulch the base of the tree. Mulch is simply organic matter applied to the area at the base of the tree. It acts as a blanket to hold moisture, it moderates soil temperature extremes, and it reduces competition from grass and weeds. Some good choices are leaf litter, pine straw, shredded bark, peat moss, or composted wood chips.
