There are two major methods of tree planting. One is planting a tree with an intact root ball. The trees can either be bound by fabric and string or potted in a plastic container. These trees are designed to plant in a hole large enough to accommodate the entire root and ball comfortably.
How to Plant Balled and Burlap Saplings
Saplings should not be soaked prior to planting. In most cases you do not need to remove the burlap (remove strings/strapping) but you do need to clip roots circling the outside of the root ball and/or on bottom. Never fertilize in planting hole!
· Dig a hole 2 to 5 times wider than the root ball. In the bottom and center of the hole, leave a planting base of undisturbed soil.
· Put the root ball on undisturbed soil flush to 2" over the top of the hole.
· Hold tree while backfilling with dirt and soil minus large clods.
· Remove grass and weeds within 6 inches of tree bole.
· With excess soil, build small beam around hole to saucer water toward roots.
· Water and mulch.
Always mulch but not excessively. Over mulching can be repellent to water.
Another method is planting a tree only with the "bare-root". These trees either have no soil around the roots or are in very small biodegradable containers with minimal moisture-retaining medium. Special tools are used to prepare the hole. Seedlings should be dormant, and roots should be moist and fibrous. Each seedling should be protected from moisture loss by keeping roots moist and covered. Do not root prune.
Planting Bare Root Tree Seedlings With Dibble Bar
· Hold bar vertically and drive blade full length into soil.
· Pull handle toward you 4 or 5 inches then thrust in the opposite direction.
· Open a roomy hole, vertically place seedling with roots up to root collar.
· Drive blade in soil again 3 inches behind seedling and close bottom and top.
· Remove bar and tamp with "heel" to close second hole.
Planting Bare Root Tree Seedlings With a Hoe or Mattock
· Drive hoe, mattock or pulaski into soil full length of blade.
· Place foot beside blade and lift handle.
· Draw handle backward slightly, place seedling in without removing hoe.
· Remove hoe and allow soil to fall back in place.
· Tamp seedling firmly in with foot heel.
Planting Bare Root Tree Seedlings With a Shovel
· Dig hole large enough to hold the root's full length.
· Spread seedling roots outward and downward keeping root collar at grade.
· Backfill dirt and tamp around roots.
· Water (if available) and mulch.
