How to Plant a Fruit Tree or Shrub!
Congratulations! You’re about to add more life to your landscape. Let’s get started! 🌱
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following materials:
Fruit Tree or Shrub
Organic Fertilizer
Lime
Compost
Mulch
Shovel, Wheelbarrow, Tarp
Auger (optional)
Kiddie Pool or Large Bucket
Step 1: Choose and Verify Your Planting Location
The first step is to confirm the best spot for your fruit tree. Make sure the chosen location aligns with your overall planting plan and that the site has sufficient sunlight and space for the tree to grow. Most fruiting trees and shrubs require ~8hrs of sunlight to thrive.
Step 2: Prepare the Tree
Before digging, soak the tree's roots in water or compost mixed with water. This helps hydrate the tree and encourages healthy root development while you prepare the planting site. Soak the tree in a kiddie pool, your wheelbarrow, or a bucket that is large enough for the root ball. Thorough, gentle watering is also an option if no containers are available.
Step 3: Remove Sod and Dig the Hole
Using a shovel, remove a 3-4 foot diameter circle of sod around the planting area. Next, in the middle of the circle, dig a hole twice as wide as the diameter of the tree's root ball and the same depth.
If you have compacted soil, an auger can be helpful for loosening it.
Step 4: Place the Tree in the Hole
Once the planting hole is ready, carefully place the tree in the center of the hole, ensuring the root flare (where the roots meet the trunk) is about 1 to 2 inches above the soil line. This prevents the tree from being planted too deeply, which can cause root rot or poor growth. Sometimes you may have to loosen the top layer of soil to properly locate the junction of the root flare.
Step 5: Prepare the Roots
Now, examine the tree’s roots. Are any circling around, as they grew in the pot? Roots don’t change direction on their own, so they’ll need your help to grow outwards.
Loosen them gently and cut away any roots that appear to be circling or growing inwards. This prevents the tree from becoming root-bound and encourages outward root growth. Note that you want the rootball to remain in tact, unlike an herbaceous plant!
If using treated burlap or a wire basket, remove as much as possible, especially the top portion, to avoid impeding root growth or causing injury.
Step 6: Backfill the Hole
Begin backfilling the hole with the original soil, lightly tamping the soil as you go to eliminate air pockets. Once the hole is about halfway full, thoroughly water the soil to settle it. Continue backfilling until the hole is almost full, tamping the soil down periodically.
It’s generally better to backfill using the soil removed from the planting hole, rather than mixing it with large quantities of organic amendments like compost or peat moss. This is because your tree needs to get used to native soil to grow strong, expansive roots!
Step 7: Add Amendments to the Soil
Mix a few handfuls of compost, organic fertilizer, and lime into the top layer of soil of the hole. Spread about a 1-inch layer of compost around the 3-4 foot circle and mix in more lime and fruit tree fertilizer as well. These amendments help establish a healthy growing environment for the tree's roots.
Step 8: Edge and Mulch the Area
Using a shovel, cut a clean edge around the perimeter of the planting area. Then, apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch, keeping it about 2 inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
Warning: Avoid piling mulch against the trunk, as it can cause bark decay, attract pests like voles, and create entry points for disease; this aesthetic can be called "volcano mulching" that forms a mound around the tree's base - it is best to avoid this!
Step 9: Water Thoroughly
After planting, water the tree deeply. Regular watering is essential in the first few weeks to help the tree establish strong roots. Check out our next blog post for more information on proper watering after planting!