Tree Planting Basics

Jan 29, 2024

A common mistake people make when planting a tree is to directly plant it into the ground from the container. Below are guidelines to follow to make sure you have planted your tree in the most optimal way possible.

Location

Choose the right tree for your site, and the right site for your tree!

Avoid planting tree’s close to one another and take into account potential obstacles for growth such as overhead or underground utilities that may prevent your new tree from thriving.

Once a tree has been removed you won’t be able to plant another tree in that same spot immediately, and should wait for a few years.

Roots from previous tree impeding growth of new tree
Soil stripped of nutrients from former tree
Disease or insect that killed the former tree could still be present in the soil and infect the new tree

Timing

Winter and early spring are the best times to plant new trees.

When temperatures are cooler, trees are less active and can handle the stress of planting better. Planting before the growing season gives new trees an opportunity to become established before the stress of summer heat

Site Preparation

Before digging, especially if planting a larger tree, locate any underground irrigation or utility lines so that they will not be damaged. In Texas, homeowners (or their contractors) are required to contact Texas811 two business days before digging, even in their own yard.

Remove turf grass or other ground cover before digging
Dig the right-sized hole for the tree you are planting
In general, the hole should be three times the diameter of the container or roots of the tree to be planted

Planting

We have two guides that will show you how to plant a tree so you can avoid common issues like; girdling roots, improper depth, over/underwatering. The following links can be found here:

How to Plant a Tree
How to Plant a Tree How-to Video

Initial Care

Plan to water your new tree at least once a week in the spring, fall, and winter, and twice a week in the summer. We have to guides that can be found here:

Maintain a proper mulch radius (3″-4″ deep, two to three feet from the trunk) around your new tree, adding more mulch as needed and as the tree grows. Learn more about mulch here:

Trimming

Young trees do not need to be trimmed for several years, but may benefit from structural pruning.

Additional Resources

Texas A&M Forest Service has tree planting guidelines online. In addition the International Society of Arboriculture also offers planting tips.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We hope this blog on tree planting will take the guess work out of how to plant a tree. We have additional resources on our North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide. If you would like immediate assistance with your trees please contact us today.

North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide