I am a professional landscaper and I have planted quite a few trees.
I have seen so many trees that will just die within a few years due to the fact that they are planted incorrectly.
There are many different opinions on how to plant a tree, but there are a lot of things that I have personally seen that will kill a tree over time.
Trees can be choked with the rope that is around the ball, the roots can be contained so they wont grow, there are many things that can go wrong with planting a tree.
This guide will teach you what you need to know so your tree will not die.
Step One: Dig the Hole Dig a hole that is about two feet wider than the ball of the tree you will be planting.
So if the ball is 4 feet wide, dig the hole 6 feet wide.
The hole should be just deep enough so that the top of the ball is about one inch above ground level.
If the dirt is very hard and clay like, then the hole should be about twice as wide as the ball of the tree because it will be more difficult for the roots to move through that harder soil at a young age.
Step Two: Take Care of the Ball Once the hole is the correct depth and width, remove the cage from the ball and then the tree should be rolled or set into the center of the hole and be straightened upright.
To keep the tree straight upright, have someone hold the tree up while you throw dirt into the hole on the side that the tree is leaning, this will make it stand upright.
Next, the burlap on the ball needs to be correctly removed.
Cut the burlap off as low on the ball as you can.
I do not take this off with the cage because often dirt balls fall apart and this makes it more difficult to plant.
Make sure all the rope is off so it does not choke the tree as it grows.
The cage and burlap need to come off of the ball so it does not restrict the growth of the roots as the tree gets older.
Step Three: Fertilize and Water The tree needs to be fertilized before it is fully buried.
Take a 5-5-5 or a 10-10-10 fertilizer and take one handful for smaller trees or two handfuls for larger trees and sprinkle it in the hole around the ball.
Finally, finish filling in the hole with dirt.
As you fill in the hole, pack it down with your foot so the dirt is properly compacted and can support the tree.
When the tree is fully buried, water the tree very generously.
This will help the fertilizer soak in as well as make sure the tree has enough water, especially if its a hot season or has not rained in a couple days.
This is how to correctly plant a tree!