Planting Tips - Evergreens
Plant at the right time
- In Ontario, the best time to plant evergreens is typically in the early spring or late fall, ideally before the ground freezes or as it begins to thaw. Early spring planting allows the trees to establish their root systems before the hot summer months, while fall planting takes advantage of cooler temperatures and increased rainfall for root establishment. Planting certain taller species of evergreens during the hottest parts of summer is not recommended as this can stress the evergreen due to high temperatures and limited moisture. Most lower growing evergreens can be easily planted in summer and will thrive with proper watering practices and care.
Identify the purpose for your evergreen planting
- Year-round interest - Evergreens provide colour and texture to the landscape, maintaining their foliage throughout all seasons.
- Privacy screening - Tall evergreens are often used for creating privacy screens or offering a natural barrier to buffer noises.
- Windbreaks - Evergreens can be planted in rows or staggered clusters to help protect homes or gardens from strong winds and harsh weather conditions.
- Habitat and shelter - Evergreens provide food sources and nesting sites for birds and small mammals.
- Erosion control - Low growing or ground cover evergreens provide excellent erosion control on slopes by stabilizing the soil with their roots.
- Formal hedges and edging - Evergreens are commonly used to create formal hedges defining boundaries or creating a backdrop for other plants in the landscape. They are often sheared to maintain a uniform shape and size.
- Landscape interest. Evergreens add architectural interest with their diverse shapes, sizes and forms. Many evergreens can be focal points in your garden as specimens.
Identify the location you want to plant on your property and ask the following questions
- How much sunlight does your planting location get per day?
- Does this area get normal levels of rainfall or is it in a location under overhangs or dense tree coverage?
- Do you have access to water?
- What's your soil like? Is it sandy and well-drained or heavy and holds moisture? If you are unsure try performing water-holding capacity tests.
Know how big each evergreen grows
- Check the height and spread measurements when planting an evergreen.
- Knowing the mature size will help in providing the correct space, this will allow for adequate air circulation and room for growth.
Match the evergreen to the location you choose
- Select plants that are well-adapted to the local climate. Know your Zone.
- Use the search filters to select appropriate plants for sunlight levels.
- Use the search filters to select appropriate plants for soil moisture levels or amend the soil to increase or decrease water holding capacity.
Determine the hole size required to plant
- The width of the hole should be 1-2 times the width of the root ball you are planting. This extra width allows the roots to easily spread out and establish themselves in the loose soil when you backfill the hole.
- Identify the root flare. Remove the top few cm of soil until you identify the root flare. "Root flare" refers to the area at the base of the evergreen where the roots meet the trunk. This area is important to the tree's stability and an integral area that allows the exchange of nutrients between the tree and the soil.
- The depth of the hole should be determined by measuring the top of the root flare to the bottom of the root ball. The root flare should not be buried too deep or lifting too high at planting so measure a few times and make sure this is correct when digging the hole. Ideally the root flare is flush with the finished soil grade.
Amending the soil
- In most circumstances it is beneficial to mix a composted manure or leaf waste with the existing soil before back filling. A recommended rate is 1 part compost to 4 parts existing soil.
Preparing evergreens in different packaging
If you are getting Ready to Plant a Container Evergreen
- Remove the container (packaging). Lift the evergreen slightly off the ground by securely grabbing onto the base of the plant. With your free hand tap around the edge of the container until it slides off the root ball. For larger container evergreens ask for assistance as this may be difficult with one person.
- Inspect the roots. If the plant has an established root system, break up roots that are circling with a sharp spade or pruning shear. If the container is densely rooted it is recommended to shave the outside of the root ball (up to 5cm) with a sharp spade or pruning saw.
If you are getting Ready to Plant a Wire Basket Evergreen
- It is recommended to hire a professional landscape contractor as machinery is often required to plant a wire basket tree. You may reach out to us through our Landscape Partner Program and we can connect you with a professional.
- Tying up the bottom branches will help the planting process go much smoother. It will help protect against damaging branches and will give you more visibility and room to remove burlap, wire and backfilling the hole. Note: Do not forget to remove all the materials you used to tie up the branches when your planting is complete.
- Lower the wire basket tree inside the hole using a machine. Using chains to hook onto the basket can be an effective way to lower the tree into the hole safely. Keep the chains on until you've correctly positioned the tree as you may need to remove or add soil at this stage while the basket is intact. See below under Planting Time! for when to remove burlap and strings.
Planting time!
- Once the evergreen is in the hole reassess that your hole depth is equal to the height of the root flare. Adjust by adding or removing soil from the bottom. Note: It is okay for the root flare to be slightly above the height of the hole to allow for the soil and roots to settle after watering or allow a layer of mulch after planting.
- Position the plant in the hole making sure the evergreen is in a vertical position.
- Backfill with the amended soil to roughly half the hole depth.
- Use the end of your shovel or foot to gently tamp the soil around your plant until you feel the evergreen is stable and vertical inside the hole. Adding water at this stage will help settle the soil and fill in any potential air pockets around your root ball.
- If you are planting a wire basket, this is a good time to remove the burlap and twine from around the trunk of the tree and the top of the rootball. Use a pair of wire cutters to remove the top third of the basket. Note: It is okay to leave the bottom 2/3rd of the basket to help keep the tree stable. This will not affect the growth of the root system.
- Continue to add soil until it is filled to the top of the hole. Any extra soil can be used to create a "tree well" around the trunk to keep water and nutrients from escaping during waterings.
Know when to water and how much
- Water newly planted evergreens thoroughly after planting and continue until they are established. There are easy-to-use tools to measure soil moisture, although visual inspection and digging up some soil and feeling it can be just as reliable.
- Consider time of year and weather conditions. Factors like temperature, humidity and rainfall influence how quickly the soil dries out.
- Adjust based on needs. Some evergreens have specific water needs. Confirm the ones you chose and adjust accordingly.
- Mulching is optional although a layer of mulch around the base of the evergreen can help retain soil moisture and reduce the need to water as often. Note: Be careful not to apply mulch too heavy around the base of the evergreen or bury any branches.
- Morning waterings are preferred. Watering in the morning allows the ground to absorb moisture before the heat of the day evaporates it.
- Adjust as the plant establishes. Evergreens will develop roots over the next 2 years and will become more resilient to longer periods without watering. Keep monitoring and gradually adjust based on the trees growth and visual inspections.
Staking evergreens?
- Staking evergreens is typically not necessary unless they are large and susceptible to high winds. Here are some factors you should consider when choosing to stake an evergreen.
- Evergreen size. Large evergreens with heavy foliage or top heavy growth may benefit from staking to prevent them from leaning or toppling over in strong winds.
- Wind exposure. Evergreens planted in exposed or windy open locations may require staking to temporarily stabilize the roots during establishment.
- Soil and sub soil conditions. Loose soils or soils that have been recently excavated may require staking to stabilize the plant during establishment.
Ready to Stake!
Attach Ties
- Use soft materials to wrap around the trunk loosely and tie them back to the stake securely to prevent them from sliding down. Positioning the ties below the point where the trunk begins to taper significantly. This usually falls above the half way point or upper third of the tree trunk.
Check Tightness
- Ensure the ties are secure but enough slack to allow the tree to sway gently in the wind. Overly tight ties can also restrict growth and cause damage to the trunk.
Monitor Regularly
- Check the ties regularly, especially in the first season after planting, to ensure they are not becoming too tight or causing damage to the evergreen. Adjust them as necessary to accommodate the evergreen's growth.
Removing the stakes
- After 1 to 2 years or once the evergreen has become established and can support itself against moderate wind, remove the stakes and ties. Leaving stakes in too long can alter the evergreen's natural development.
Stakes and wind direction
Choose the amount of stakes - these are general recommendations only
- For larger evergreens (larger wire basket 250 cm or greater with dense foliage) - Place one stake up wind from the prevailing wind direction. Place a second and third stake at equal distances apart in a triangle pattern around the tree.
- For medium to large sized evergreens (175 -250cm with heavy foliage) - Place one stake up wind from the prevailing wind direction.
- For smaller evergreens 175cm or smaller or evergreens in protected areas generally will not require a stake at all. If you are unsure contact us for advice.
Position and insert stakes
- Drive the stakes into undisturbed soil outside of the root ball roughly 30-50cm (1-2ft) or until the stake is secure in the ground. Angle them slightly away from the tree to provide better support.
Optional Tips
Wrapping evergreens before winter in burlap
Wrapping evergreens in burlap for winter is a common practice to protect them from harsh weather conditions, particularly strong winds, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures. Young or newly planted evergreens are more susceptible to winter damage due to their smaller root systems and less established foliage. Wrapping these evergreens in burlap can help them thrive in their first few winters and establish more robustly. Older, established evergreens or lower growing species and cultivars planted in protected areas may not need wrapping unless they show signs of vulnerability.
Here's a summary of how to effectively determine timing on wrapping and successful steps.
- Choosing the right time. It's best to wait until temperatures begin to cool in late fall or early winter before wrapping evergreens in burlap. This allows the trees to acclimate naturally to changing conditions and ensures that the wrapping provides the intended protection during the coldest months of the year. Wrapping evergreens prematurely may subject them to unnecessary stress. Evergreens undergo physiological changes in response to seasonal cues such as temperature and day length. Prematurely wrapping them may disrupt these natural processes and weaken the tree's ability to withstand winter conditions.
- Preparing the evergreen. Before wrapping, gently remove any snow or ice from the branches to prevent damage. Trim any dead or damaged branches, but avoid heavy pruning, as this can stress the tree.
- Select the right material. Choose high-quality burlap that is breathable and allows air circulation while providing protection from wind and snow. Cut the burlap into suitable pieces large enough to cover the entire tree but not so large that it's difficult to secure.
- Wrapping the evergreen. Start at the bottom of the tree and work your way up, wrapping the burlap around the entire tree trunk and extending it up to cover as much of the branches as possible. Secure the burlap with twine or rope, tying it snugly but not too tightly to avoid damaging the tree.
- Leave room for air circulation. Avoid wrapping the burlap too tightly around the tree and avoid overlapping in one area. This can restrict airflow and promote moisture buildup, which may lead to fungal growth or other issues.
- Monitor throughout the winter. Check the burlap periodically throughout the winter to ensure that it remains secure and in good condition. If it becomes damaged or loose, rewrap as needed to maintain protection.
- Remove in Spring. Once the threat of severe winter weather has passed and temperatures begin to warm in spring, remove the burlap gradually. This allows the evergreen to acclimate to changing conditions without sudden exposure to sunlight and temperature fluctuations.