Dig a hole that is no deeper than the rootball so that the
rootball rests on solid soil. Make the hole about twice as wide
as the rootball. Set all trees and shrubs in the hole so that
the top of the rootball is no more than 1" above the soil line
with room on the sides for a mixture of peat humus, compost, or
native soil. Do not add the mixture yet.
Step 2
Untie burlap and roll it down away from the rootball and leave
rootball sitting on top of it. Some larger trees with come with
a metal cage on the bottom. It is not necessary to remove this before
planting. The top of the cage can be bent back and left in the hole and
it will rot away in time. Carefully pull tiny feeding
roots away from soil with a fork.
Step 3
Place mixture of peat humus, compost, etc. around the sides
of the rootball and pack it down so the mixture is just slightly
above the soil line - it will settle.
Step 4
Cover the soil shredded bark extending out from the tree 16" all
around. Pile the mulch to about 3-4" deep, then scrape the
mulch back about 3" all around the trunk to form a "moat."
Planting 101 - How to Plant a Plant
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