Planting

Planting Potted Trees

Proper planting is key to set your potted or containerized tree up for success. Grab a shovel, gloves, a small bag of mulch, and a pocket knife and let’s get planting.

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houses surrounded by trees in neighborhood

Right tree, right place

The first step is choosing where to plant your tree.

Consider how large your tree will grow and avoid obstacles like sidewalks and power lines. Think about shading windows or AC units to conserve energy and where your tree will get full or partial sun, depending on your species’ needs.

Call

A few days before you dig, call 811 to avoid any underground lines.

Dig

Dig a hole about three to four times as wide as the container with sloping slides.

illustration gently remove tree from container

Remove from pot

Lay your tree’s container on its side and tap to loosen the roots. Gently remove the tree and try to keep the soil around the roots intact. Sometimes, potted trees become root-bound. To loosen things up, cut a shallow X with a sharp knife across the bottom of the root ball and score four vertical slices along the sides.

illustration position containerized tree

Center

Center your tree in the hole and adjust the depth so the root collar (where the uppermost roots grow out of the trunk) sits even with the ground.

Fill

Fill and firmly pack the hole until the soil is at ground level. Form a circular ridge of soil about 3 feet from the base of the tree to keep water from running away.

Mulch & Water

Remove grass within 3 feet around the tree and add natural mulch about 2 to 4 inches deep. Keep mulch from touching the trunk.

Water daily for the first two weeks. Then, water every three to seven days during the first year. Tip: set a reminder, like "Water Wednesdays."