Information on planting and maintaining your trees, shrubs and flowers by Kent Countryside Nursery

Your new tree's survival and growth depends on you!

Important things to keep in mind when planting your new tree:

• Plan for future growth and leave enough space between objects such as other trees, power lines, and your home. Most trees should be planted at least 20 feet from buildings.
• A balled and burlaped (B&B) tree's root system will grow through the burlap and the wire basket which keeps it together, so there is no need to remove it. When digging the hole for your tree, be sure to only dig as deep as the root ball is high, so that when the tree is in the hole the top of the root ball is level with the ground. The width of the hole should be at least 6" wider than the root ball, if the soil is poor and compacted a wider hole is better for helping the tree's growth.
• The hole should be backfilled with a mix of 2/3 existing soil and 1/3 compost or peat moss. This soil serves as a transition zone between what the roots are currently growing in its new location. It is also a good idea to apply a transplant fertilizer such as Dry Roots to help stimulate root growth without hurting the root system.
• Once the tree is backfilled firmly it should be heavily watered to not only supply the tree with water, but also to help the soil settle around the root system and remove any excess air pockets which can inhibit root growth.
• Approximately 3" of mulch should be placed on top of the soil to help keep the soil moist and to maintain soil temperature both in the summer and in the winter. The mulch should not touch the trunk of the tree!

The planting process for container trees and shrubs is very similar to B&B except that there is no wire or burlap holding the root system, but a container instead! It is important to remove the container and lightly break up any roots that may have circled around the edge of the container. Breaking up the root system when it is growing circularly will help them to grow outward in the new soil it is planted in.