How to plant a tree
By Carol Thiessen
If planting a tree happens to be on your fall ‘to do’ list, first of all, congratulations! What a great way to contribute to our community’s greenery for this generation and ones to come.
Fall or spring are great times to plant trees as it’s not too hot. And if you’re looking for some planting tips, Green Drop was on hand at the Fisher Park fall clean-up day on September 30 to demonstrate good planting technique.
Here’s some of their pointers:
Pick a spot on your yard based on the mature size of the tree.
Dig a hole at least two times the size of the root ball. You want the small fibrous roots to be able to spread out.
Take the root ball out of the container. You’ll see that the roots have grown in a circle. Exfoliate it by loosening the dirt around the root ball.
Place in the hole, making sure the root flare (where the root meets the trunk) is level with the ground to allow it to get the oxygen it needs.
Fill in around the hole using the soil you just dug out (not augmented soil which can cause uneven root growth).
Pat down the soil around the root ball. If it’s a bit flimsy stake it—but not for more than two years so the tree doesn’t become dependent on the stake.
Add wood mulch to prevent soil compaction and add nutrients to the soil. When adding mulch, make sure there’s a two-inch gap around the tree stem so moisture doesn’t collect there. Replenish as needed for the life of the tree.
Water your new tree approximately two times per week, soaking the dripline area. And give it a really good soak before freezing.
Green Drop donated two trees: an American Linden and a Dropmore Linden, which were planted in Fisher Park for the demonstration.
For specific tree planting topics:
Also, be sure to check out the Trees Winnipeg site on Tree Selection and Planting. See their ReLeaf Tree Planting presentation and Tree Planting 101 YouTube video for helpful instructions, diagrams, and demonstrations on selecting a location, how to plant a new tree, and how to get on their mailing list for affordable trees under the ReLeaf program.
When planting a new tree, make sure you don’t plant it too deep. Place it in the hole, making sure the root flare (where the root meets the trunk) is level with the ground to allow it to get the oxygen it needs. Photo Credit: Carol Thiessen
Carol Thiessen is communications coordinator for Trees Riverview.
