Planting trees correctly involves more than just digging a hole in the ground and placing the tree inside. It’s more complex than many people assume. To effectively learn the proper way to plant a tree, it’s essential to acknowledge that there are correct and incorrect methods. Some approaches are recommended, while others should be avoided.
How a tree gets planted significantly impacts its growth, development, overall health, and appearance in the coming seasons. Trees planted incorrectly can become structurally weak, pose potential hazards as they mature, and exhibit undesirable characteristics. Below, you’ll find guidelines for what to do and what to avoid when planting trees.
Select Intelligently
Before embarking on the tree planting process, conducting thorough research regarding the various tree species that thrive in your region is essential. You may seek expert guidance to determine which tree types are most compatible with your property. It’s crucial to consider factors like survival capabilities and adaptability, mainly if you reside in an area characterized by fluctuating temperatures and extreme weather conditions.
Once you’ve selected the tree species you wish to plant, it’s important to carefully choose a suitable planting location that aligns with the tree’s requirements. For example, suppose you expect the mature tree to grow substantially. In that case, it’s advisable to avoid planting it close to structures to prevent potential issues with space constraints as it matures.
Know the Tree’s Time Preference
There is an ongoing discussion regarding the optimal timing for tree planting, a discussion which is further explored in our blog, “The Best Time To Plant a Tree”. Early fall and early spring serve as suitable periods for planting trees in regions with milder climates, like the southern, southeastern, or southwestern areas. In locations characterized by winter snow cover or frozen ground, the best time for planting is spring, after the ground has thawed.
The general rule of thumb is to plant trees with ample time to establish their roots, ensuring they are well-established before encountering potential stressors like low soil moisture, high temperatures, or extreme cold. Across most of the country, the prime window for tree planting falls between late summer and early fall. The goal is to allow the tree’s roots to adapt to your soil over sufficient time, enabling it to withstand the winter and experience rapid growth once spring arrives. It’s advisable to research your tree species’ specific preferences online before planting.
3 Tips to Keep in Mind
- Give Adequate Spacing – If you intend to plant a tree in a confined area or close to structures like power or telephone lines, it’s essential to ensure that the tree belongs to a smaller variety, as larger species can pose future challenges and complications.
- Don’t Plant Based on Convenience – When you plant a tree, you are investing. It’s important to note that while certain tree species may exhibit faster growth, they tend to be more vulnerable to damage from storms or winter conditions when compared to slower-growing varieties.
- Don’t Over-Handle – While newly planted trees must receive adequate nutrients and consistent watering to promote their growth, it’s essential to be mindful of excess. There is a limit to the amount of nutrients and moisture that a young tree can effectively absorb. Therefore, it’s essential to consider this limitation when you’re in the process of planting trees. Trust Mother Nature.
Other Planting Services are an Option
Gift tree services simplify sending a heartfelt gift to express your care and consideration to a friend, family member, or colleague. Whether it’s a gesture of remembrance for a departed loved one, a tribute to a cherished pet, or a way to commemorate special occasions like birthdays or weddings, our distinctive and aesthetically pleasing offerings will surely leave a lasting and meaningful impression. There’s no need to burden yourself when you can entrust someone else to ensure the long-term well-being of the tree for decades to come!
The Gifted Tree started planting trees in Ireland in 2013, and we now plant gift trees in the United States and around the globe. The tens of thousands of gift trees planted are helping to restore National Forests destroyed by fire or disease and reforesting tree-depleted areas ravaged by the effects of climate change.