Dip Your Roots

No root should ever go into the soil dry.

If you haven't already, be sure to check the contents of your package & quickly dip the roots of your trees in a bucket of water.

The most important step is choosing the right trees for your location:

Good All Rounders
Hawthorn, Hazel, Rowan, Silver Birch

Wet / Slow-Draining Soil
Alder, Willow, Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Hazel, Downy Birch

Well-Drained Soil
Beech, Field Maple, Scots Pine, Silver Birch

Exposed Windy Sites
Rowan, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Scots Pine

When preparing the planting hole, you want to make sure its large enough to allow the roots to spread naturally, without the roots being squished or wrapping around. Be sure to remove sod, weeds, & any potential competition for your tree.

In exposed areas, staking can help protect young trees from wind damage while roots establish. Once you've dug your hole, pound the stake in before you plant your tree.

Sometimes you'll find you have a very long root. Rather than have it wrap around & squish the roots, you can prune your roots lightly. Be sure to watch our video above for more advice on trimming roots.

The planting hole should be deep enough so the tree sits at the same depth it grew in the nursery.

Place the tree upright in the hole and ensure the graft soil line remains above ground level.

Adding compost or manure is optional but gives your trees and extra boost of nutrients. Be sure to use well-rotted manure that's matured for at least one year. We prefer Gee-up, an organic, rotted manure that's perfect for most trees.

Cover your roots back in with soil and firm the tree in with your heel. If you gently pull up on the tree as you firm in with your foot, this allows the roots to splay out & creates better growth.

If you're in a windy area and you've already put your stake in the ground, now is the time to tie your tree to the stake. This will help your tree survive storms & high winds in its first few years until its root system is more established.

Whenever possible, we recommend mulching your trees. This helps with weed suppression as well as water retention. It also adds a little layer of insulation in cold weather.

Don't forget to water in your whips. Especially if there's a dry spell, you'll need to continue watering your young trees regularly.

If deer, rabbits, or hares are a problem in your area, then you will need protection for your young trees. Tree guards or rabbit spirals protect young trees from potential damage.

As part of the ongoing care for your young trees, we recommend:

- Weeding regularly

- Watering in dry weather

- Refirming after storms & winds

- Checking ties & stakes regularly