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How to plant a new tree and avoid transplant shock

Planting a new tree is more than just digging a hole. Proper preparation can prevent transplant shock and ensure your tree thrives. Learn how to correctly size the hole, prepare the soil with compost and starter fertilizer, and address root-bound issues. Follow these steps to stabilize your tree with stakes, keep the soil properly moist, and apply mulch effectively. With these tips, your new tree will have the best chance to grow strong and healthy.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Professional Tree Installation

Learning how to plant a new tree involves more than just digging a hole and dropping it in. Proper preparation is essential to prevent transplant shock and ensure your tree thrives. Start by considering the size of the hole. The general rule is to dig a hole two to four times the width of the root ball and as deep as the root ball.

Steps to Planting a Tree Successfully

Next, take the soil you’ve removed and mix it in a 1:1 ratio with some Casco Organics Manure Compost or Casco Organics Enriched Soil. Add an organic starter fertilizer such as MicroLife Multi-Purpose 6-2-4 Multi-Purpose Organic Fertilizer to increase the nutrient level of the soil. This will be the soil you use to fill around the tree once it is in the hole.

Before placing the tree in the hole, remove it from its container and check the root system. If the tree has been in the pot for a long time, it may be root-bound. To address this, cut vertically along the sides and across the bottom of the root ball to break up the circling roots.

Place the root ball in the hole, ensuring the tree is level. Begin filling the hole with your prepped soil mixture. Fill until the soil is level with the top of the root ball. After filling, stake the tree to prevent it from falling over. Use T-posts or another form of anchor to stabilize the tree and allow the root system to grow.

Maintaining and Caring for Your New Tree

Maintaining the right soil moisture is crucial for the first year. Keep the soil moist around the tree, but avoid over-watering. Apply a 4-inch layer of Casco Organics Native Mulch around the drip line, ensuring it does not touch the tree trunk. Our Native Mulch helps retain moisture and provides nutrients as it decomposes.

Water the tree deeply once a week for the first year to support its growth. Consistent watering is key in learning how to plant a tree effectively. By following these steps, you can prevent transplant shock and ensure your tree thrives.

Learning how to plant a tree properly involves careful preparation and ongoing care. With the right techniques and materials, such as Native Mulch, your new tree will have the best chance to grow strong and healthy.

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Michael Conner

Michael Conner is the Operations Manager. Having spent the last 20 years in the landscaping materials industry, including composting, mulch, soil blends, and others, Mr. Conner has amassed an extensive knowledge base for these products and their production. He learned the base of his composting knowledge from the pioneer and industry leader of the composting and landscape materials businesses in the San Antonio area. Mr. Conner worked for the pioneering landscape materials manufacturer for 12 years, having various roles from equipment operator to outside sales, ending his stay there as the site manager. After taking an opportunity in the lumber industry as a lumber warehouse manager, Mr. Conner returned to the composting and landscape materials business. He was awarded the role of quality control manager for the largest composter and landscape materials supplier in the San Antonio area. In this role, Mr. Conner, expanded his knowledge of manufacturing processes, earning a promotion to production manager. In 2019, Mr. Conner was offered a facility manager position at the company’s Katy, Texas location. In 2022, Mr. Conner was able to utilize the deep knowledge gained during his career and joined Casco Organics as operations manager to oversee and produce high-quality landscaping products.

Stephen Flowers

Stephen Flowers is the Vice President of Operations and Development. Mr. Flowers began his career in the construction industry as an assistant project manager with the in-house construction management team for all county-funded buildings in Harris County. He then decided to follow his passion for all things automotive, spending time in the automotive industry in both service and sales before transitioning into the oil and gas industry. Mr. Flowers joined a major global pipe and tubular running services company and performed corporate sales and business development, further establishing company’s presence in the Denver/Rocky Mountain market. After a year at the Houston headquarters, Mr. Flowers was moved to Denver to open an office for the company and continue to grow the business and corporate presence. While still in Denver, and after leaving his previous company, Mr. Flowers joined a California-based, upstream engineering and consulting firm to open their Denver office. His role was to establish the company in Denver, build a team of consultants, and gain and grow business outside of their home market of California. After facing a fork in the road to stay in oil and gas or switch industries, Mr. Flowers made the decision to move himself and his family back to Houston and join the Martini family of companies: Casco, Action Trucking, and Bee Sand. Mr. Flowers’ role has been multi-faceted, including company operations management, restructuring, staff re-organization, overhauling various corporate functions, new product lines and ventures, and many other functions and tasks. Mr. Flowers holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Communications from the University of St. Thomas.