Tree TLC

Discover tips for planting and tending to trees, from the roots up

- BY ALLY CHILDRESS

Before you bring home a new tree, consider your options. How big does the tree get? How wide will the branches spread? How wet is your location? How much sun does it get? Do you like the fall color? “These are the core questions you want to think about before planting a long-living organism,” says Spencer Campbell, manager of the Plant Clinic at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois.

Planting a Tree

“Remember, this is the last time the roots are ever going to see the sunlight,” Spencer says. Dig a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball, piling the dirt on a tarp for easy refilling. The root collar (where the roots slope away from the trunk) should be level with or above the ground. Gently loosen the soil where the root ball will sit, and place the tree in the hole. Remove any burlap or wire.

Cut off roots that are spiraling, or “girdling,” the trunk so they don’t choke off nutrients. Refill the hole, then gently tamp the ground to remove air pockets where pests and disease-causing organisms hide.

Care Basics