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Home > Frequently Asked Questions > How should I plant my tree?

How should I plant my tree?

A: Location conditions are extremely important and vital to a tree’s health. Be sure to examine the tree location conditions and follow these steps when planting your new tree:

• Dig a shallow, broad hole: only as deep at the root ball, but 3x’s as wide in diameter
• Identify the trunk flare: this is where the roots spread at the base of the tree. This should be partly visible after planting.
• Place the tree at the proper height: majority of the roots should be within 12” of the soil.
• Straighten the tree in the hole
• Fill hole, gently but firmly
• Stake the tree, if necessary
• Mulch the base of the tree
• Maintain with follow-up care

More information:

New Tree Planting

	News
	Warning: Check Tree-care Credentials Several autumn fatalities linked to dangerous tree care practices are prompting a coalition of arborists and urban foresters to urge contractors (and others) to hire only certified tree-care professionals. MORE >> Best Trees For The Street Scientist John Hammond of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific research agency, has announced the findings of a four-year project to determine the best trees to use in urban spaces. MORE >> Selling Houses By the Yard Worried home owners hope landscaping adds value- from the Wall Street Journal MORE >> NADF Hardiness Zone Map Find out the right tree to plant where you live MORE >>

"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is Imagination itself." - William Blake, 1979 The Letters

	Resources
	New Tree Planting Brochure Available through the ISA Web store Planting With a Purpose Knowing when, what, where, and how to plant is essential to a tree's life span. And if you want trees in your yard to be assets that continually appreciate in value, keep these important tips from the International Society of Arboriculture in mind before, during, and after planting a tree.MORE >>