Planting a tree is a wonderful experience and helps enhance the beauty of the land we live on. But care and foresight must be taken in advance to help ensure that each tree can reach its full potential.

In general, it’s best to try to plant young trees if you can. It is certainly possible to plant a mature tree, but it is very difficult for the average homeowner to do and very expensive to pay if you hire someone to do it for you. If having a mature tree is necessary for some reason, then it may justify the expense. But otherwise, planting smaller trees that can grow into your home’s landscaping design may be your best solution.

The best time of year to plant trees is spring. The second best time of year is late fall or even winter. You may choose to plant a young tree during the summer, but if so, be sure to use one of the new wilt-proof sprays that help the leaves prevent moisture loss until the roots are well established. And if you’re planting a tree that’s taller than 6 feet, try to be sure to move it with a burlap root ball to protect the roots.

Soil preparation is extremely important for planting trees and shrubs. Generally speaking, it’s good to dig a hole about 2 feet. deep and about a foot wider in each direction than the full extent of the tree roots. Then make sure the soil at the bottom of the set loosens up a bit and is mixed with peat moss, loam and fertilizer, before placing the tree in the hole. If for any reason you find a layer of hard clay or construction debris while digging the hole, be sure to remove a good portion of that material and replace it with good soil that promotes tree growth right away. If you don’t, chances are a new tree won’t be able to get the nutrients it needs and has a good chance of dying.

Many people abuse manure because they believe it will benefit the tree greatly. However, manure should only be used sparingly at the top of the tree hole and not around the roots, as it can actually burn the tree.

For planting seedlings that are not wrapped in burlap, it is a good idea to protect them before planting by giving them a mud bath or waterlogging. This protects the roots from exposure to air before planting. When you have dug the hole to the right depth for the seedling, fill it with water to allow the soil to settle to the bottom. Once the water has drained, place the tree in position and apply the soil and settle around the roots of the tree. Be sure to work the soil close to the roots and do not allow air pockets to form in the hole. When the hole is two-thirds full, fill it back up with soil and fill it with water. Then go ahead and fill the soil to ground level afterwards.

Planting a tree root ball is somewhat easier because the burlap holds the root ball in place. So dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball and plant immediately. If the soil is dry when planting, fill the hole with water and let it soak before inserting the tree. Once the tree is in position, cut off the top of the burlap and roll it back a few inches. It will eventually rot in the ground that way.

After the first year, cultivate the tree as much as you can and keep weeds out by applying straw or mulch in both spring and fall. This will also help keep moisture in the soil.

By following the guidelines listed here in this article, you should be able to plant any tree correctly and successfully, and enjoy its beauty for years to come.