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Tree
Planting Checklist
From
the Nebraska Community Forestry Council
South Central District Working Group
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Preparing A
Site
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| 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. |
Dig the space at
least 3 times the diameter of root ball. |
| Measure the height
and diameter of root ball. |
Break up compacted
soil. Sides of planting space should not be packed. |
| Dig to the depth of
root ball. Leave bottom of space firm. |
Do not amend soil
unless planting in building rubble, poor, or severely
disturbed soils. |
Planting
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| Lift tree into
planting space by root ball, not the trunk. |
Prune only dead or
injured branches. Do not paint wounds. |
| Balance tree upright
in center of planting space. |
Remove tree wrap,
tape, or string on trunk. Trunks should be wrapped only
to protect them in transit to planting site. |
| For trees in wire
baskets, cut and remove wire. |
Stake and brace most
trees at planting time. Support tree but allow it to
move or sway. |
| Cut away strings and
burlap or plastic, exposing rootball. Do not remove soil
from rootball. |
Use wide, belt-like
strapping attached to two sturdy stakes. Do not use rope
or wire through a hose. |
| If tree is container
grown, cut and remove container. |
Mulch lightly with
about 2-3 inches of composted material at least to the
diameter of crown of tree. Leave a 3 inch circle
of bare soil around the trunk. Deep layers of mulch can
be harmful. |
| Prune dead or
crushed roots and straighten or cut circling roots. Make
clean cuts. |
Do not plant flowers
under tree. |
| Begin refilling with
soil, watering as you fill to firmly set tree. Gently
tamp. |
Do not fertilize at
planting time. |
| Never
plant too deep. Fill soil up to tree base just above
where roots begin to branch. |
After-Care
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| Water is the
critical factor for tree survival after planting. Deep
water regularly throughout first growing season. Allow
water to run slowly, soaking the soil, once or twice a week.
Do not over water. |
Prune dead or
injured branches immediately. |
| Keep lawn movers and
string trimmers away from tree to avoid wounding trunk. |
Prune while young to
maintain size and shape beginning in the second growing
season. |
| Reduce herbicide use
near tree and in surrounding lawn. |
Do not top trees to
reduce height. |
| Never fertilize
stressed trees. Fertilizer is not tree food. It
should be applied only after first year if required. |
Call an insured tree
care professional for advice on large pruning jobs, hazard
trees, and insect or disease problems. Non-professionals
should never prune near utility wires. |
| Start annual tree
inspection program while tree is young to head off problems
early. |
Do not plant flowers
under a tree. |
| Replace mulch as
needed. Keep grass and weeds out of mulched area.
They compete for the same water and elements as the tree. |
Remove stakes and
strapping after one year unless site is extremely windy.
Do not stake longer than 2 years. |
| Do not cultivate
soil under the tree. |
Continue deep
watering for 5 years after planting |
Additional Information
For more information contact your
local University of Nebraska County Extension Office or visit the
UNL-Nebraska Forest Service Community Forestry web site
http://ianrwww.unl.edu
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