TREE PLANTING BASICS

A guide to establishing healthy trees

Think about how trees grow.
In order to understand how a
planted tree will grow and func-
tion, we must understand how
Right Wrong
these plants are designed to
‘plant’ themselves in the wild.
Most trees get their start as
seeds that are dropped or buried
very near the surface of the soil.
As the seed develops, it sends
roots out and sends its trunk up.
These two parts have very dis-
tinct missions: the top gathers
sunlight, and the roots seek wa-
ter, oxygen, minerals, and nutri-
ents. The vast majority of these
resources lie within the top 16” of
Planting too deep is the number
soil.
one planting mistake.
Steps to a successful tree planting:
• Select an appropriate site for the species and size of the tree when mature.
• Select healthy tree specimens. The tree should sit in the pot with its root crown above soil level. The
tree should not be root bound (as evident by roots circling the inside of the pot.) The trunk should be
free of cracks, rot, or binding injuries. If possible, select bare root specimens.
• Dig a shallow hole at least 3 times the width of the root ball. Make sure that the depth of the hole is
such that the tree’s root crown is level with surrounding soil surface.
• Place the tree’s root ball on undisturbed soil, and remove excess burlap/wire basket.
• ‘Tease’ out circling roots and orient them in a radial pattern.
• Backfill with native soil, making sure to fill any voids. Note: avoid tamping the soil too firmly!
• Mulch the disturbed area 2-4” with bark mulch or compost while making sure to keep mulch off the
tree’s trunk.
• If necessary, stake the tree with two stakes and flexible ties. Note: make sure the ties do not girdle
the trunk too tightly, and stakes should be removed after one year.
• For the first two years, water according to species’ needs and site conditions .
Common reasons for new tree failure
• Lack of water– nursery-raised new trees do not have the established root systems necessary to han-
dle prolonged drought conditions.
• The tree has been planted too deep, causing rot to the submerged trunk.
• The tree was planted with girdling roots. The tree’s own roots encircle it, choking off the flow of photo-
synthates from the tree’s canopy to developing roots.
• The tree was planted in an inappropriate site (i.e. a site with too much sun/shade for the species, too
small a space, in conflict with utilities, etc.)

If not corrected, trees that have

girdling roots in the pot will have
girdling roots in the field.
Plant a Tree Today…
For Tomorrow
For more information contact:

Oregon Community Trees

www.oregoncommunitytrees.org

Pacific Northwest chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture

www.pnwisa
pnwisa.org
pnwisa

Oregon State University Extension

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/Hort/hocsfpc.php

Eugene Tree Foundation

http://www.eugenetreefoundation.org

Arbor Day Foundation

http://www.arborday.org/

Prepared by Jason Morrow for Oregon Community Trees