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Planting Trees & ShrubsTree and Shrub Planting Guidelines Plant and site selectionSelect trees and shrubs well-adapted to conditions of individual planting sites. Test soil drainage before planting. Examine soil for compaction before planting.

Site preparationDig shallow planting holes two to three times as wide as the root ball. Backfill holes with existing unamended soil. Backfill half the soil, then water thoroughly to settle out air pockets. Finish backfilling, then water again. Cover any exposed root ball tops with mulch.

Tree and shrub preparationClosely inspect the wrapping around root balls of B&B (balled and burlapped) trees and shrubs. Many of these materials will not degrade. Cut away or drop the wrapping material to the bottom of the planting hole, backfilling over it. If roots are circling around the root ball exterior, cut through the roots in a few places.

Plant your new tree or shrubStand back, or ask someone else to check the plant for proper alignment. The trunk should be vertical. You may need to add or remove soil to get the proper alignment. Carefully add soil to support the plant in its new home. Gently tamp the soil with your hands and feet, being careful not to break any of the larger roots.

Visit us online @ mantis.com © 2016 Schiller Grounds Care, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Planting Trees & ShrubsTree and Shrub Planting Guidelines Don’t forget to nurture your new tree or shrub Water the new plant daily for the next two or three weeks, depending on rainfall. Continue to water slowly and thoroughly, allowing the water to penetrate the full depth of the planting hole. You will probably need to add some additional soil after the initial watering. You don’t want to wash away the soil or create any big holes in the newly planted area. During the first season, continue to water at least once a week. Generally, you should water any time that you haven’t received 1 inch of rainfall over the previous week.

Tree care after planting

Remove tags and labels from trees and shrubs to prevent girdling branches and trunks.

Good follow-up watering helps promote root growth. Drip irrigation systems and water reservoir devices can facilitate watering.

Mulch, but don’t over mulch newly planted trees and shrubs. 2 to 3 inches of mulch is best.

Keep mulch from touching tree trunks and shrub stems. 12 to 18 inches is recommended for any size tree.

Don’t use black plastic beneath mulch around trees and shrubs because it blocks air and water exchange.

Only stake trees with large crowns, or those situated on windy sites or where people may push them over.

Most trees should not have their trunks wrapped. Wrapping often increases insect, disease, and water damage to trunks.

For protection against animal or equipment damage, install guards to protect the trunk.

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Don’t suffocate trees with mulchDon’t be tempted to make a mulch volcano around your tree. It might look nice, but tree experts say it can suffocate the tree. Why? Because it covers the root flare of the tree; the parts of the tree meant to be exposed to air. Excessive mulch causes the roots to wrap around the tree and girdle itself; thereby suffocating the tree.