Time to Plant?
Let’s Get Those Trees in the Ground
The ideal time to plant new trees is when the ground temperature is mild enough for roots to establish prior to any extreme cold or heat, Fall or late Winter/early Spring. Now is a great time.
What and where do you plant?
Determine what your goal is - aesthetics, privacy, more shade, etc.
Consider native trees that are more easily able to adapt to the environment.
Identify any nearby structures, power lines, septic tanks, water lines, sidewalks, driveways, other trees, etc. and be sure to plant in a location with enough space to allow roots and canopies to grow to maturity without causing landscape damages such as cracked concrete or home foundations, septic tank or line interference, and plant/tree nutrient competition.
Observe what areas of your yard get certain amounts of sunlight or water drainage and what the soil is like to align ideal tree species to its correct environment.
How do your properly plant a tree?
Have any utilities marked by calling SC811.
Dig wide, but not deep. The proper hole for a tree should be 2-3 times wider than your tree’s root ball and deep enough to allow where the trunk of the tree widens to be at ground level.
Remove any burlap, mesh, or other material around the tree before placing it in the hole.
Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the root flare is at ground level and it’s sitting on firm dirt to prevent it from sinking and establishing too deep.
Fill the hole with the soil you removed when digging the hole.
Water extensively right after planting and regularly water afterwards, allowing the soil to dry out each time before watering again.
Mulch around your tree a couple of inches deep in a wide circle around the tree. Do NOT pile the mulch against the trunk. This is where many people and landscape companies make a mistake and the tree suffers from root suffocation.
After planting, remove any stakes unless the root ball seems unstable, maintain routine watering, and try to prevent any animals or machinery from damaging the tree.
Allow a tree care professional to inspect and maintain your trees in the years following.
Enjoy your generational investment!