Guide to planting small trees!

Thinking of planting an arborvitae hedge row or new front yard foundation shrubs? Fall in Connecticut is the best time of year to plant! Lower temperatures reduce heat stress and allow the plant to focus on root growth. Establishing a strong, healthy small tree in fall without worrying about browning or disease is accomplished by following these steps when planting:

Digging the Hole

The hole must be twice as wide as the rootball of the tree. This allows plenty of room for fresh topsoil amendment around the rootball. The top of the rootball should meet the grade of the existing soil. If the lower stem is below the existing grade it can cause the tree to become susceptible to disease or stress.

Pulling the Roots

Be sure to loosen the rootball by cutting or slightly tearing the roots of the tree once you have removed it from its container.

Straightening the Tree

Once the tree is planted, ensure the tree stands upright by observing it from two angles. This will give you a clear image of how the tree is tilting. Change the tilt of the tree by gently pressing your foot on the side of the rootball to tilt it straight. Compress the soil around the tree when done to hold it's position!

Watering

Soaking the root ball of the tree is one of the most important aspects of tree planting that must be completed within an hour of planting your new tree! Allow the hose to gently drip at the base of the tree for 15-20 minutes until the rootball is soaked completely.