How to Plant:

What you Need

 - your tree
 - a section of cardboard or a tarp on which to mound soil
 - a shovel and rake; a pick ax if your soil is compacted
 - a bag of mulch (usually 3 cubic feet)
 - a bag or two of topsoil (for rocky of very infertile soils)
 - a hose that will reach the tree
 - a stick with 3 feet of string tied to the top

Step 1:  Mark It
Pick the best spot for the tree and put the stick where the trunk will be. Tie a knot in the string to mark off half the width of the container (or root ball if your tree is balled and burlapped... hereafter referred to as "B&B"). Tie another knot 24" beyond the first knot. This last knot will mark the outer edge of the planting hole..

Step 2: Can Ya' Dig It?
Dig the hole with sloping sides as shown in the diagram and pile the soil on the cardboard or tarp. The hole should be the same depth as the depth of the soil in the container or, in the case of a B&B tree, the height of the root ball.

Step 3: Remove the Container
Remove or cut away the container just before the tree is put in the hole. Try to move the tree by the root ball instead of the trunk. Minimize the time the roots are exposed to air and direct sunlight.

Step 4: Plant It
Set the root ball in the hole and adjust it until the "best" side of the tree faces the direction you want and the top of the root ball is level with the ground surface. A straight stick or shovel handle laid across the hole will indicate if the root ball is sitting too high or low. Adjust now if necessary. If you have a B&B tree, now is the time to cut away any strings from around the trunk and to fold back the top 1/3 of the burlap down into the planting hole.

Step 5: Fill the Hole
Use the pile of soil to back-fill around the root ball. If this soil is full of rocks, remove the larger rocks over 2"-3", break up any chunks of soil, and if necessary mix this with good topsoil. It is not necessary to add other amendments such as peat moss or compost. Pack the soil firmly around the root ball but do not tightly compact it.

Step 6: Water In
When the hole is 2/3 full, fill it with water and mix the mud with your shovel to settle the soil and remove any pockets of air. Finish back filling until the top of the root ball is covered with 1/2" or so of soil.

Step 7: Build a Berm
Mound what soil is left into a dike or berm at the outer edge of the planting hole and finish watering the tree.

Step 8: Mulch
Put a 3 inch layer of mulch around the tree. Mulch helps to keep grass out, saves water, and keeps lawn equipment such as sting trimmers and lawn mowers away from the thin bark of the young tree.

Step 9: Stake
Stakes and guy wires should be used only if the tree can't stand by itself. When used, this support should be removed after one year.

Step 10: AdmireAnd Enjoy!