Tree Planting Advice
We work with a landscaper that can provide you a quote for delivering and
planting your trees. Please contact us for more details or to set up an appointment.
A great resource for more details on tree planting can be found at Arbor Day Foundation.
planting your trees. Please contact us for more details or to set up an appointment.
A great resource for more details on tree planting can be found at Arbor Day Foundation.
1) Digging Hole and Soil Preparation
The hole for your 45 gallon trees should be about 3' or more wide and 20" deep. Unless you simply do not have any soil, you should always plant your tree with the same soil that comes from the hole. Using the native soil will allow the tree to adjust to this soil throughout its growth cycle. Soil mixed with rocks will do well as it should drain well and in most cases has plenty of organic material. If your soil has a lot of clay, fill the hole with water and make sure that it drains empty overnight. If the soil is solid clay and will not drain, the roots and tree will die in very wet periods.
For digging the hole, a shovel and or pick should allow you to dig a sufficient hole without too much effort. For large numbers of trees, a backhoe is preferred, or if the soil is not too hard, a tractor or skid steer front bucket will do well.
For digging the hole, a shovel and or pick should allow you to dig a sufficient hole without too much effort. For large numbers of trees, a backhoe is preferred, or if the soil is not too hard, a tractor or skid steer front bucket will do well.
2) Planting Tree
The key to planting a tree is - DON'T PLANT TOO DEEP. The hole should be dug to a depth that allows the first root growing off the trunk to be slightly above grade. You will notice that trees in the wild sort of have a "foot" with this root extending from the base of the trunk. The reason for this is that trunk material when buried will not convert to root material and the tree could be hampered in its health or even die.
Once the tree is in the hole at the proper depth, thoroughly water the hole. Next, pack the soil from the hole firmly around the tree and water in well. Make a small berm around the dripline of the tree with any excess soil as this will help force water to the root ball.
Once the tree is in the hole at the proper depth, thoroughly water the hole. Next, pack the soil from the hole firmly around the tree and water in well. Make a small berm around the dripline of the tree with any excess soil as this will help force water to the root ball.
3) Staking (as needed)
45 gallon trees should not require staking. If they do, drive in two three short T-posts around tree and support tree with wire wrapped with a piece of garden hose (or similar material) at trunk. You can also us nylon strapping instead of wire.
4) Wildlife Protection (as needed)
If you are in an area with deer or other exotics, we strongly recommend that you place a mesh tree guard around the trunk for the first year or so. Deer, especially in the fall, love to rub on new trees. We also recommend using a tree guard if you have cattle, especially bulls, with the tree. The guards are inexpensive ($5) and we usually have them in stock and will sell them to you at our cost.
For area with very large exotics like Elk, Zebra, Eland, etc. the tree guards are not sufficient as these tall animals like to eat new trees. We have one customer that has had very good success protecting his trees by staking one 16' bull panel around the tree.
For area with very large exotics like Elk, Zebra, Eland, etc. the tree guards are not sufficient as these tall animals like to eat new trees. We have one customer that has had very good success protecting his trees by staking one 16' bull panel around the tree.
© Blanket Creek Tree Farm west of Utopia, Texas 78884