Planting a young tree is not difficult. However, because trees are usually more expensive, more permanent additions to the landscape than flower or vegetable plants, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DO IT PROPERLY so it survives.

In recent years, techniques for planting trees and shrubs have been revised by horticultural professionals to reflect changes in modern growing practices, new nursery materials and new understandings of soils and tree growth.

Part of planting correctly is selecting the proper location for the tree. Whether you begin with the site and then buy a tree, or you begin with a tree that you like and then choose a site for it, the space, soil and available light must be appropriate for the particular tree. Consider its eventual mature size and shape, its root system, and the type of soil and climate it likes. In residential landscapes overhead utility wires and underground cables and septic systems must be accommodated.

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Different Planting Forms
Deciduous trees which drop their leaves in the autumn and broadleaf or needled evergreen trees are sold three ways.

Balled and burlapped: (B&B): Larger trees, over 3 or 4 years old, are commonly sold with their roots and ball of soil wrapped in burlap. It holds the soil on the roots and protects them until planting time. It is fastened with twine and/or a wire basket.

Containerized: Increasingly nurseries are growing trees of all sizes and kinds in containers, rather than in the ground. Available at many garden centers, they transplant very well because their roots are hardly disturbed.

Bare Root: Trees ordered by mail usually arrive as young “whips” with their roots bare of soil and wrapped in moist sawdust or other absorbent material and sealed in plastic to keep them moist.

Planting Times
The best time for planting all bare root and balled and burlapped deciduous trees is during the fall soon after their leaves drop. The soil stays warm even as the air begins to cool. Trees can put their energy into generating roots and not have to divert it into producing foliage.

The next best planting time is late winter or early spring while trees are still dormant, but the soil is free of frost and dried out from melt and spring rains. These times are best because the cool seasons are when root growth is most active.

The best time for planting evergreen trees is also in late winter or early spring, although needled evergreens can also be planted in the fall when wind is typically less severe. Since their foliage is already in place, and they add or replace only a fraction of it each spring, they have energy available for root growth during all the cool months.

Plant containerized trees anytime the soil is not frozen or it is not terribly hot. Since their roots are already established in the soil in the container, they have the least adjustment to make in their new site.