SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU PLANT A TREE RIGHT
May 21, 2019
Did you know that you can actually save money by planting a tree the right way?
If a healthy tree is planted correctly and in a good location, it can establish quickly – sending its roots into the soil and branching out strong and healthy. When this happens, a tree no longer needs as much upkeep (watering, pruning) as it did when it was initially planted. Essentially: the quicker a tree establishes, the more money you save by reducing upkeep costs.
Planting incorrectly can delay establishment and sometimes halt it all together. And when a tree fails to establish, it dies. A failed tree can be the result of soil conditions, location, lack of care, disease and many other things. One thing we know for sure – a dead tree is a waste of time, effort and money!
Every year we plant around 20,000 bare root trees. In a few years’ time these will be saleable size – ready to be dug and shipped across the continent. Similar to our potting, the planting process here on the farm is a semi-mechanized operation. The goal? Plant as many trees in as little time as possible while maintaining the right planting depth. If you’re interested in watching our planting process – check out this video.
Realistically, the average person isn’t planting 1500 liners a day. But you might be planting one finished tree in your yard. Read our planting instructions to learn how to plant a burlap and basket tree with establishment in mind (and money saving!):
- Dig a hole at least 3x wider than the diameter of the basket
- Set the base of the basket in undisturbed soil. The flare at the base of the tree trunk should be visible above ground once the tree is planted.
- Backfill ⅓ of the hole with original soil, or a mix of topsoil and compost. Tamp gently but firmly. Continue filling the hole in layers, gently tamping each layer until the hole is ⅔ full.
- Remove twine from around base of tree and peel burlap away from the top of the ball.
- Cut away the top of the basket. Optionally, wire basket hoops can be bent back and buried or clipped about 10cm below the soil surface.
- Moisten soil to allow root ball to settle, then backfill completely and tamp lightly.
- Build a water holding berm around the tree, outside the root ball. Mulch lightly over the root ball with less than 1” of mulch (do not mulch up the trunk). Mulch can be 2-4” deep outside the root ball.
Have fun planting and give us a call or send us an email if you have any questions regarding planting trees!
