Before You Plant

Before you plant, take the following into consideration:

• Species Selection - environmental, size, maintenance and aesthetic considerations
• Nursery Production Method - field-grown vs. container grown
• Plant Quality - reject poor quality nursery stock
• Drainage Alteration - install drainage, berm, plant high or change species
• Compaction Remediation - soil replacement or amendment incorporation
• Hole Size and Configuration - wide, shallow and sloped; bottom pedestal
• "Unpackage" Roots - remove or modify containers or ropes/wire basket/burlap
• Modify Roots - prune or partially bare ball container-grown plants
• Backfill - do not amend; backfill in stages, alternating with watering; do not tamp
• Fertilize - low rate of slow release nitrogen (N), composted, organic fertilizers
• Water - use drip irrigation or slow delivery devices
• Mulch - limit depth; prevent trunk contact; include weed barriers and/or herbicides, extend beyond planting hole.
• Prune - limit to structural correction or dead/dying/diseased removal/ broken
• Trunk Protection - if needed environmentally (wraps) or physically (guards)
• Stake/Guy - only if top heavy, or if wind throw or vandalism possibility so tree can still move
• Remove Tags/Labels - prevent potential trunk girdling

Primary material from:
Dr. Bonnie Appleton
Hampton Roads AREC, Virginia Tech
1444 Diamond Springs Road,
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455 (757) 363-3906; bapple@vt.edu