How To Plant It Right

Tree Placement and Utility Safety
Planting Tools
Preparing The Site
How to Plant
After Planting Checklist

Tree Placement and Utility Safety

Trees should be planted away from utility lines, poles and underground utilities at indicated distances:
Large Trees (over 70 ft.) 45 ft. or more from lines
Medium Trees (30-70 ft.) 35 ft. from lines
Small Trees (under 30 ft.) 20 ft. from lines

Content provided by The Missouri Department of Conservation.

Remember, utility lines aren’t only above you, but are also buried underground.
Before you dig to plant any shrub or tree, protect your safety and avoid costly, troublesome utility interruptions. Call the toll-free hotline in your state for no-cost location of all underground utilities including electric, gas, phone, water, sewers, cable TV and fiber optics. Allow two working days for member utilities to mark your service locations. Then avoid planting over or near underground lines. It’s one call that can save your life.
In Kansas: 1-800-DIG-SAFE (1-800-344-7233)
In Missouri: 1-800-DIG-RITE (1-800-344-7483)

Planting Tools

• large spade or shovels
• large tarp to hold soil
• heavy duty wire clippers
• small pruning saw
• hammer or mallet
• measuring stick
• pruning shears
• heavy duty scissors or sharp utility knife
• gloves
• stakes and strapping

Content provided by the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area

How to Plant

Preparing the Site

If possible, prepare the site before you bring in the tree. Keep the root ball well watered and keep the tree in a shaded place until you are ready to plant. It is imperative to expose the trunk flare on each balled and burlaped tree before the planting site is dug so that the depth of the planting site can be properly measured. The trunk flare is the point where roots begin to branch from the trunk. (The top of the root ball is not always the trunk flare.) Remove burlap from immediate trunk area of tree. Pull back excess soil around trunk of tree to locate trunk flare. Measure the height from the base of the trunk flare to the bottom of the root ball. Dig to the depth of the trunk flare.

• Trunk flare and top of root ball should be at grade.
• Dig the space at least 2 times the diameter of root ball.
• Break up compacted soil. Sides of planting space should not be packed. Leave bottom of space firm
• Do not amend soil unless planting in building rubble, poor, or severely disturbed soils.

How to Plant a Tree

• Lift tree into planting space by root ball, not the trunk.
• Balance tree upright in center of planting space.
• For trees in wire baskets, cut and remove wire.
• Cut away strings and burlap or plastic, exposing root ball. Do not remove soil from root ball.
• If tree is container grown, cut and remove container.
• Prune dead or crushed roots and straighten or cut circling roots. Make clean cuts.
• Begin refilling with soil, watering as you fill to firmly set tree. Gently tamp.
• Never plant too deep. Trunk flare and top of root ball should be at grade. (Trunk flare may be hidden within the root ball.) Fill soil up to the tree base just to where roots begin to branch from trunk.
• Prune only dead or injured branches. Do not paint wounds.
• Remove tree wrap, tape or string on trunk. Trunks should be wrapped only to protect them in transit to planting site.
• Stake and brace most trees at planting time. Support tree but allow it to move or sway.
• Use wide, belt-like strapping to attach to two sturdy stakes. Do not use rope or wire through a hose.
• Mulch lightly and evenly with 2" of composted material at least to the diameter of crown of tree. Leave 3" circle of bare soil around the trunk. Deep layers of mulch can be harmful.
• Do not plant flowers under tree.
• Do not fertilize at planting time.

Content provided by the The National Arbor Day Foundation and USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area .

For more information check out the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Standard Tree Planting Detail: http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/302.pdf.

After Planting Checklist

• Water is the critical factor for tree survival after planting. Water deeply regularly throughout the first growing season. Allow water to run slowly, soaking the soil, once or twice a week. Do not over water. Water at the perimeter or edge of planting site.
• Keep lawn mowers and string trimmers away from tree to avoid wounding trunk. Reduce herbicide use near tree and in surrounding lawn.
• Never fertilize stressed trees. Fertilizer is not tree food. It should be applied (if absolutely necessary) only after first year. When used, fertilizer should be applied at the perimeter edge of the planting site.
• Start an annual tree inspection program while tree is young to head off problems early.
• Replace mulch as needed. Keep grass and weeds out of mulched area. They compete for the same water and elements as tree.
• Remove stakes and strapping after one year unless site is extremely windy. Do not stake longer than two years.
• Prune dead or injured branches immediately. Prune while young to maintain size and shape beginning in the second growing season.
• Do not top trees to reduce height.
• Call an insured tree care professional for advice on large pruning jobs, hazard trees, and insect or disease problems. Nonprofessionals should never prune near utility wires.
• Do not plant flowers under a tree. Do not cultivate soil under the tree.
• Continue deep watering for five years after planting.

Content provided by the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area