How to Plant Sapling Trees

A tree planted in the fall develops a strong root system.

A sapling tree trunk is less than 4 inches in diameter. A correctly planted sapling is easy to care for, lives longer and costs less to maintain. The right planting technique minimizes water use and promotes a healthy pest-free tree. Harmful insect pests are attracted to trees under stress from poor growing conditions. A sapling tree is planted in a location suitable to its sun and shade needs, in soil with adequate drainage and access to a water source. Consider the height of the tree at maturity before choosing a location to plant.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Straw, chipped wood or other mulch material

Instructions

1. Protect the roots, stems and foliage during transportation from the garden center. Handle the tree by the container or burlap root ball. Shield the tree top from wind.

2. Dig a planting hole two to three times wider and equal in height to the tree root ball. Build a mound in the middle of the hole. Retain the backfill soil. Remove all packing material from the tree.

3. Place the sapling tree root ball on the mound in the middle of the planting hole. Lay roots parallel or angled slightly downward over the soil mound. Allow the uppermost portion where the top of the roots becomes the trunk, the root flare, to remain above the soil line.

4. Hold tree steadily upright and fill ½ of the hole with backfill soil. Tamp down gently over roots. Fill the remaining hole to the soil line and tamp down again.

5. Place a 2-inch layer of mulch in diameter around the tree, 2 inches from the tree trunk. Mulch conserves water, prevents weed growth and adds nutrients to the soil.

6. Soak the tree thoroughly each day for two weeks after planting. Irrigate weekly thereafter with 2 gallons of water per inch of tree-trunk diameter.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant trees in the fall to develop a strong root system over winter.

• Use homemade or commercially available compost fertilizer as part of a good maintenance system. Compost contains the 16 nutrients trees need to grow and thrive.

• Tree bark is easily injured in spring when growth has begun. Avoid excessive handling.

• Do not trim or remove portions of live tree root before planting. Injured roots make the tree vulnerable to disease. Remove dead portions only.

• Do not add compost or fertilizer to the hole when the tree is planted. Compost is dense and may cause overly compacted soil around the tree roots.

References

• North Carolina State University Extension; Planting Techniques for Trees & Shrubs; M.A. Powell; April, 1997
• Warnell School of Forest Resources; Plant Trees Right!; Kim D. Coder; July 1992

Resources

• Clemson University Extension; Home & Garden Information Center; How to Plant a Tree
• University of Missouri Extension; How to Plant a Tree; Christopher J. Starbuck; Sept. 2004