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How To Plant Trees

Posted by Christie Elite Admin on

Planting Bare-Root Trees

Your bare-root tree will arrive in the winter it will be bagged and dormant. Provided it is kept cool and out of direct sun it will last up from four to six weeks in the specially designed bag.

When it is time to plant the tree:

  • Simply create a slit in the soil with a spade (known as notch planting)
  • Remove the tree from the bag and careful insert the roots into the slit up to the root collar (the margin at which the roots meet the stem).
  • Ensure that the roots are downward pointing and spread out then carefully push the slit closet and firm the soil around the tree.
  • It is important not to plant the tree too deep or too shallow and not to compact the soil too hard which might damage the root system.
  • Keep the trees bagged until you are ready to plant as drying wind can quickly desiccate the fine roots.

Planting Cell-Grown Trees

Cell grown trees are even easier, they will arrive wrapped, or boxed and should be kept moist.

  • If they are not to be planted immediately, stand them upright and ensure the soil does not dry out.
  • When it is time to plant simply create a notch as with the bare-root tree and gently insert the cell into the notch up to the level of the root collar (where the stem meets the soil) then firm the soil around the plant as before.

Planting Conditions

Unless conditions are extremely dry there should be enough moisture in the soil so additional watering should not be necessary. On dry sites or in particularly dry weather it would be advisable to water the trees but this is only necessary for the first few weeks.

Fertiliser

Many of the tree species we grow are adapted to growing on poor soils so additional fertiliser or soil improvers are not generally required. A small amount of fertiliser can be applied but remember that too much can be just as much of a problem as too little.

Weeding

Until your trees are properly established it is essential to keep them as weed free as possible. Vegetation around your tree will compete for water and nutrients as well as blocking light and  physically damaging the young tree. Weeds can be controlled using herbicide, removed by hand or by using mulch or mats around the base of the tree. Typically we would recommend controlling weeds within 1m of the newly planted tree, at least until the root system is established and the height of the tree is above competing vegetation.

Wildlife

It is important to protect your new trees from damaging wildlife until they are properly established. Christie-Elite supply a range of accessories to protect plants from deer, rabbits, hares and voles.