How to Install Trees With a Power Auger
Digging a hole to plant a tree is back-straining work, and many trees -- especially mature ones, require deep holes to allow for the roots to spread properly. To save yourself the time and energy of manually excavating the soil, you can rent or purchase a power auger, which is essentially a drill designed to break up the soil and create a hole in a fraction of the time it would take for you to do it yourself. The augers come in many sizes, makes, powers and styles, so carefully choose your auger and plant your tree. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Rent or purchase an auger with a bit 30 inches wide and 30 inches long. This will provide you with optimal spacing to allow you to insert the tree without bending or breaking the roots.
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Remove any surface rocks, branches or sticks from the area in which you want to install the tree. It may help you to trace out the diameter of the hole you want to dig with marking paint to help you line everything up well.
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Use a shovel or spade to dig a small hole 1 to 2 inches deep directly in the center of the area in which you want the tree. This will provide a resting place for the tip of the auger to act as a guide, so that the tip does not stray into other areas of the soil.
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Don ear protection and safety goggles to protect you from the noise and the dirt the auger will emit. Settle the point of the auger into the small hole you dug and have an assistant hold it steady.
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Activate the auger. This is generally done like a lawn mower by pulling a cord, but individual manufacturer instructions may vary, so follow those carefully.
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Gently increase the throttle on the auger as it begins to spin, until you are digging at a steady pace. Brace the left side of your body against the handles of the auger to hold it completely steady. Continue to advance the drill until it has dug to the appropriate depth.
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Deactivate the auger and gently pull the drill out of the hole. If necessary, smooth the sides of the hole with a shovel or spade to create a flat surface.
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Insert the roots of the tree and spread them out as much as possible in the hole. Use a shovel or spade to backfill the hole with the soil the auger removed. Add about 6 inches of soil and then tamp it down with the shovel or your boot to eliminate air pockets. Continue until the tree is completely buried.
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Tips & Warnings
Rent or purchase augers at hardware and home-improvement retailers, as well as rental stores. You will have other options for choosing an auger, such as torque. These other options will vary depending on the type of soil you have; heavier soils need more torque. If you have questions regarding your particular auger needs, consult a professional at the retailer or rental center.
The planting depth and position of each tree varies by species. Research your particular tree before starting this project.
Before you begin, contact your local utility providers to have them mark underground pipes or wires, so that you can ensure that you will not damage any hardware while you dig.
If you hit obstructions such as roots or rocks in the soil, do not attempt to plow through them with the auger. Instead, deactivate the machine, pull it out and manually dig out the obstructions.
Never operate an auger without proper ear and eye protection, as well as heavy boots and long clothing.
References
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