Planting Tips - Trees
Plant at the right time
- While spring and fall remain the optimal times for tree planting in Ontario, suitable climate zoned trees can be planted anytime of year as long as the ground is not frozen or can be worked easily and water is available.
- Minimizing planting stress is best when the soil temperatures are above 8 degrees celsius.
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 tree grows
- Check the height and spread measurements when planting a tree.
- Knowing the mature size will help in providing the correct space, this will allow for adequate air circulation and room for growth.
Match the tree 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 tree where the roots meet the trunk. This area is wider than the trunk itself and 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 trees in different packaging
If you are getting Ready to Plant a Container Tree
- Remove the container (packaging). Lift the tree slightly off the ground by securely grabbing onto the base of the trunk. With your free hand tap around the edge of the container until it slides off the root ball. For larger container trees ask for assistance as this may be difficult with one person.
- Inspect the roots. If the plant has an established root system, break up or cut the 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 rootball (up to 5cm) with a sharp spade or pruning saw.
If you are getting Ready to Plant a Wire Basket Tree
- 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.
- 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.
If you are Getting Ready to Plant a Bareroot Tree
- Carefully inspect the roots before planting a bareroot tree. Prune any damaged or broken roots.
- Lightly trim each root as this helps stimulate new root growth. When roots are cut, it encourages the development of new feeder roots, which are essential for the tree to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. This process can help the tree establish more quickly after planting.
- Once the roots are pruned, soaking the bareroot trees for 2 hours prior to planting is recommended to ensure they are well-hydrated.
- It is important throughout the planting process to keep the roots from drying out. During each step keep them somewhere cool, out of direct sun and water them regularly until they are planted.
Planting time!
- Once the tree 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 tree in the hole making sure the tree is in a vertical position
- Back fill with the amended soil to roughly half the hole depth.
- Use the end of your shovel to gently tamp the soil around your plant until you feel the tree 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.
For wire basket
- 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 trees 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 trees 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 tree can help retain soil moisture and reduce the need to water as often. Note: Be careful not to apply mulch too heavy around the trunk of the tree as this can lead to problems such as crown rot and create habitats for rodents that chew on bark.
- 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. Trees 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 tree's growth and visual inspections.
Staking the tree
- Staking some newly planted trees is recommended to provide support and stability until the tree roots become established. Here are some factors you should consider when choosing the materials to stake your trees.
- Tree size. Canopy size, height and overall size will influence the materials used to stake a tree. Generally, wire basket trees require thicker and longer stakes to provide adequate support while smaller container and bareroot trees can be staked with lighter materials.
- Wind exposure. Consider the prevailing wind direction, strength, and frequency in your planting location. If the site is prone to strong winds, you may need larger, more robust stakes to stabilize the tree effectively. You may need to add 2 or more stakes around the tree in more extreme locations.
- Soil and sub soil conditions. Loose soils or soils that have been recently excavated may require longer stakes to anchor securely.
- It is important to note that not all trees require staking, although it is recommended for tree establishment, staking may hinder the tree's ability to develop a strong root system if left on for too long.
Ready to Stake!
Position and insert stakes
- Drive the stakes into undisturbed soil outside of the rootball 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.
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 tree. Adjust them as necessary to accommodate the tree's growth.
Removing The stakes
- After 1 to 2 years or once the tree has become established and can support itself against moderate wind, remove the stakes and ties. Leaving stakes in too long can alter the tree's natural development.
Stakes and wind direction
Choose the amount of stakes - these are general recommendations only
- For small trees (bareroot trees or 25gal and smaller) - Place one stake upwind from the prevailing wind direction.
- For mid sized trees ( 20 gallon or bigger and wire basket 70mm or smaller) - Place one stake up wind from the prevailing wind direction and place a second stake opposite the first stake.
- For larger trees (Larger wire basket 80mm or greater with heavy crowns) - 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
Optional Tips
- Applying a tree guard can serve many benefits to help in a successful tree planting, specifically in the first few years.
- Prevents wildlife damage - Tree guards can protect young trees from rodents, rabbits and deer that may chew on the bark, leading to damage or in some cases girdling the trunk and causing death.
- Prevents mechanical damage - Trees are often at risk of damage from lawn mowers, trimmers, and other garden tools. Tree guards can provide a physical barrier that helps protect against these accidents.
- Environmental damage - Tree guards can help reduce the environmental damage caused by sun scald and frost damage to the trunk.