We love celebrating National tree planting day by planting a tree, it is such a great opportunity to gift positivity back into our beautiful Ecosystem.
Here are 8 basic steps to assist you with planting your tree for good strong growth results.
1. Choose a healthy tree
When choosing a tree to plant make sure it has a healthy established root system and is not rootbound. Potted and conditioned trees (and shrubs), bought from a local nursery can be planted any time of the year. However, autumn (where there is no severe winter) or spring is the best time of year to transplant existing trees and shrubs or to plant new ones.
2. Prepare the planting hole
Soak your new tree well to ensure the root ball is moist and soaked through before planting. While your tree is soaking prepare your hole. Dig a square hole twice the size of the root ball, corners help the roots to grow sideways and downwards as opposed to a circular pattern Fill the hole with water, allow to drain away to check drainage.
3. Improve the soil
Improve your soil to help the tree/shrub survive in the long-term. For soils high in clay, indicated by the poor drainage, add some gypsum to improve the soil structure and drainage. Add well-rotted compost to provide organic matter and further structure. In sandy soils, compost is a must as it helps hold moisture around the roots. We use Searles 5 in one with great results. In all soils use a good fertiliser to help feed the plant, such as blood and bone.
4. Plant
Return some of the improved soil back into the bottom of the hole, enough for the base tree trunk to be 2 – 5cm below the natural soil level. Gently remove the tree from its pot keeping the roots as intact as possible. Root disturbance in healthy stock will shock the plant. (Only when the tree is pot bound, is it recommended to gently loosen by teasing out the very bottom roots.) Place in the centre of the hole and back-fill it halfway making sure the soil around the base is firm, add water to the hole, not only does it provide needed moisture but the water also helps eliminate air pockets. Continue to backfill making sure the soil around the plant is firm, leaving a slight well at the top so that when it rains the water gets caught directly above the roots. This trick makes the most of any rain that comes, which is important in our climate.
5. Water
Finally, water again gently but thoroughly once all the soil is in place.
6. Supporting Stake
Supporting Stake - We have found that supporting trees or shrubs with a good sturdy stake helps to speed up growth considerably! As it prevents the main stem from moving around in the wind, which causes the roots to loosen away from the soil resulting in root damage and slow growth.
7. Mulch
Cover the tree base with mulch, starting about 5cm away from the trunk (leave this area exposed), place roughly 5 – 10cm deep of organic mulch, at least out to the drip line. Further is better. Mulch helps retain much-needed moisture and helps keep roots cooler near the surface - an important requirement for newly installed plants.
8. Maintain
Water correctly until Established. The most important job you will have after planting is to keep plants and trees well-watered until established. This can take weeks to months, to even a year or more in some cases.