Planting a new tree is more than just digging a hole and dropping it in. Considerations need to be taken to prevent losing your recent purchase from transplant shock. First is the hole size, general rule of thumb is to dig a hole two to four times the width of the root ball and the same depth as the root ball. Take the soil that you’ve removed and mix 1:1 with compost or an enriched soil as well as a starter fertilizer (high phosphorous number) to increase the nutrient content of the soil that you will put around the tree once it is in the hole. Once you’ve removed the tree from its container check the root system, if the tree has been in the same pot for a long period of time it will become root bound. You will need to cut a line vertically along the sides and across the bottom in order to break up the circling of the root growth. Place the root ball in the hole and ensure your tree is level to your liking, take your prepped soil and start filling in around the root ball. Once you have filled level to the top of the root ball you will want to stake the tree to keep it from falling over. Tether your tree to T posts or some other form of anchor to stabilize it and allow the root system to grow. Keep the soil moist around the tree but not too wet, apply a 4” layer of mulch around the drip line (not touching the trunk of the tree), and give the tree a good soaking once a week for the first year.
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