How to Plant and
Stake a Tree
Trees are the largest
and longest living plants in your garden. In small gardens, it's
a good idea to choose a tree that has more than one season of interest.
You'll also need to think about where you want to plant a tree when
choosing one. Trees you buy come in three forms: container-grown,
bare-rooted, or balled. Container grown trees can be planted all
year round; bare-rooted trees are available in late autumn and winter;
balled plants are not seen often, but some conifers may be sold
in this way. Container-grown and balled trees can be left unplanted
for several weeks provided that the soil is kept moist; bare-root
trees must be planted as soon as possible. This workshop shows you
how to plant a container-grown tree, but the same principles apply
to all trees and shrubs.
What You Need:
Your tree; a fork, spade; organic matter; watering can; stake; tree
tie. Optional: secateurs, mulch.
.
Step 1
Place the tree where you want it to grow. Mark out a hole about
3 or 4 times as big as the top of the container, using the blade
of your spade to draw a circle on the soil. If planting your tree
in grass, lift the top few inches of turf.
Step 2
Dig out the hole making it about 1.5 times the height of your tree's
container. Pile the soil to one side of your planting hole. If you
have poor soil, mix organic material with this pile of topsoil.
With your fork, loosen the soil at the sides and bottom of the hole.
Step 3
Hammer the tree stake into the hole, just off-centre, and on the
windward side. Add some organic matter to the hole and fork lightly
into the soil in the base of the pit. (If your garden is very windy,
or the tree will be very exposed, you can use a shorter tree stake
put in at an angle to the trunk after the tree has been planted).
Step 4
Lay the tree on its side and slide it out of the pot. Make sure
that the compost around its roots is moist - give it a long soak
in a bucket if necessary. Without breaking up the root ball, loosen
the small side roots around the edges and remove any weeds from
the compost.
Step 5
Hold the tree in place next to the stake and spread the roots out
around it. Check the planting depth by laying a cane across the
planting hole. The tree should be planted at about the same depth
as it was in its pot - adjust how it sits in the hole by adding
or removing some soil.
Step 6
Backfill around the tree with the topsoil you dug out. Do this in
stages, firming the soil around the roots of the tree as you go.
Use your hands or a foot (gently). Finish off the surface by lightly
forking it over. Water well around the tree (preferably with a can
with a rose attachment, otherwise with a gentle flow because you
want the water to soak in not splash soil away from the roots).
Remove any damaged side shoots, attach a rubber tree tie around
the plant and the stake. Apply a 5-7cm layer of mulch around the
tree. This will help to conserve moisture around its roots and suppress
weeds.
Source: Greenfingers
