Planting Success Guide

Plants are a key component of a landscaping job. Between customer choice, installation, and maintenance schedules, there’s a lot to remember. If you’re learning the business or just need a refresher on planting installs' best practices, here’s a breakdown to follow.

Container Trees and Shrubs

1. Chose your location. Plant 30ft trees or smaller at least 12-15 feet away from a home’s foundation and utility lines. Plant trees 30-70ft at least 15-20 feet away from foundations and lines and plant trees that are 70ft+ at least 20 feet away from these.
2. Dig the hole twice the width of the root ball, or at least 6 inches wider than the diameter of the container at minimum, and deep enough to allow 1-2 inches of the root ball to remain above the existing grade. If you have the space, three times as wide is even better. Where poorly drained or compacted soils exist, adequate drainage of surface and sub-surface water must be provided before planting. The key to fast acclimation is getting a good area loosened up for the roots. Ensure you create crevices within the sides of the hole for the new plant’s roots to easily attach.
3. Remove the root ball from the container.
4. Rootballs will only need to be sliced if the roots are wrapped around themselves. Root balls can fill the container and do not need to be sliced, so check carefully. If the plant is root bound, make 2 or 3 vertical cuts along the length of the root ball. Carefully pull sliced roots away from the root ball. You can also run water over the root ball until the roots loosen. These methods will encourage new root growth into existing soil.
5. Place the root ball in the hole. Be sure the plant is centered and upright, ensuring the plant is facing the preferred direction. The junction of the trunk and root system should be slightly above grade.
6. Backfill with the soil you dug out of the hole. Tamp soil firmly to remove air pockets and support the root ball.
7. Fertilize with root stimulant fertilizer. This should be all you need for the season after planting. If you do fertilize with anything else, you risk root burn and root stress.
8. Form a saucer with soil mixture above grade completely around the outer rim of the planting hole.
9. Water immediately after planting by filling the entire saucer twice within 24 hours to ensure thorough saturation of the root ball.
10. Staking should only happen if the plant is in an extremely high wind area to stabilize the root ball. Stakes should extend 18 inches into firm soil outside of the root ball area and should be material that will not rub the tree’s bark. Allow some movement as this makes the tree stronger. Do not stake if the wind is not a concern.
11. Mulch the entire saucer and top of the root ball with 2-3 inches of organic mulch to hold moisture and deter weed growth.
12. Water thoroughly and regularly, for a minimum of 6 months, until new roots completely penetrate the existing soil. Note that it will take time before the stressed tree will take up good amounts of water (which is why the root stimulator is needed).