Tip of the week: How to properly plant a tree

last updated 10 January 2015

Select a species. Contact a nursery to find out which trees grow best in your area. Once you’ve done your research, look for a “potted tree that’s 6- to 8-feet tall, with well-spaced symmetrical branches, intact bark, and spot-free leaves.”

Scout your spot. Don’t start digging just anywhere. “Visualize your tree’s full-grown size, and think about where the shadow will fall.” Large trees (those that will measure 50 feet tall at maturity) should be planted “at least 15 feet” from any structure or concrete.

Get digging. The “biggest mistake” people make is digging too deep a hole: You’re planting the tree, “not burying it alive.” Measure the distance from the bottom of the root-ball to the trunk flare, where the roots meet the base of the tree. Then dig a hole that’s 1 inch shallower, with a diameter four times the width of the root-ball. Shovel in dirt to stabilize, and dampen with water.

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