How To Plant A Containerized Tree

So you’ve just purchased your containerized tree and are ready for planting. Here are the necessary steps to planting a containerized tree in your yard:

  1. Dig a whole that measures at least 3-4 times wider than the container your tree came in. The sides of the whole should slop in – allowing  proper root growth.
  2. Carefully remove the tree by tapping around the outside of the container to loosen the edges. Then, gently remove the tree, trying your best to keep the soil around the roots intact.
  3. Sometimes the roots of a containerized tree become root-bound (when the roots have spiraled around the root ball) and need to be released. Simply, using a sharp knife, cut an X across the bottom of the root ball, as well as four slices vertically up the sides.
  4. While you want a wide hole, it shouldn’t be too deep. The base of the tree should land just above the surface. If the hole is too deep, pack some soil just below the root ball.
  5. Give the tree a thorough watering by creating a water-holding basin that goes around the hole. Once the water has soaked in, layer 2-3 inches of protective mulch around the base of the tree stretching out at least 3 feet.
  6. For the first year of a tree’s life, it is imperative to keep the soil around the tree moist. During dry weather, make sure to give the tree a good watering every 7 days or so, just don’t let the mulch get soggy.
  7. Remove any tags or labels from the tree as soon as possible. They may affect the growth of the plant later on. Also, prune any dead or broken branches to maintain the health of the tree.

Tips For Planting Trees And Shrubs

container tree southeastern growers

Most trees and shrubs these days are grown in containers. This method of cultivation ensures that the roots do not get disturbed by anything in the ground or surrounding area, especially when selected for the planting process. While transferring from pot to ground isn’t too disruptive to the tree or shrub, they still require some help during the process.

Here are some of our best tips:

  1. Prepare the area: Your potential tree or shrub has been grown in a specific growing environment, optimized by the grower for the best results. You want the soil where you’re going to plant to be appealing to the tree. Churn up the soil in the entire area where your plant will sit at least as deep as the rootball of your tree, even deeper. Consider mixing in some compost or planting mixture to the soil in preparation.
  2. Water thoroughly BEFORE planting: Planting a tree or shrub with dry roots will make it more difficult to contain water in the future. Therefore, make sure the plant is thoroughly watered before placing it in the ground. If it is especially dry, water it until it is fully saturated and then plant.
  3. Dig a big enough hole: Always dig a hole bigger than your rootball ensuring that you have prepared the soil around the hole enough and when you pack the soil down around the roots, it wont get squashed or cramped in any way.
  4. To loosen or not to loosen: When removing your plant, you might consider loosening its roots but make sure you really take a look at the condition: is there a lot of soil between roots? If so, you might want to leave the rootball as is, so you disturb the roots as little as possible. However, if you take the rootball out and there are roots coiled around at the bottom or simply around the rootball, you can carefully spread the roots apart a bit so the roots grow out and away.