--- title: "How to Plant a Tree" description: "How deep should you plant a tree, and how much do you need to water it? Learn everything you need to know about when to plant a tree—and what to do next." date: "2013-04-26" modified: "2024-07-26" authors: - name: "Gretchen Heber" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/gretchen-heber/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/plant-a-tree/" categories: - "Landscaping" - "Lawn & Garden" tags: - "How To" - "Trees & Shrubs" --- # How to Plant a Tree ![Portrait of smiling volunteers planting together. People in green t-shirts are volunteering for environmental cleanup. They are in park.]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Trees not only improve the beauty of our landscapes, but they provide a critical function for our health, too. These leafy lovlies remove carbon dioxide from the air, and give us life-critical oxygen in return. Many of us are improving our carbon footprint by growing trees, but it’s important to learn how to plant a tree correctly so that it will flourish. ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Shovel]() - [Pickaxe]() - [Heavy-duty, 4-foot metal stakes]() - [Tree straps]() - [Mulch]() ## Project Overview ***Working Time****: 1 hour* ***Total Time****: 1 hour* ***Skill Level****: Beginner* ***Estimated Cost****: Assuming you have the gardening tools, you might spend $25 on stakes, straps, and mulch. The cost of the tree can vary widely, of course.* ## How to Plant a Tree in 7 Steps If you’ve been [thinking about planting trees]() on your property, you’ll want to learn how to do it properly to ensure success. And while tree planting is probably not on one’s list of fun ways to spend an afternoon, you’ll be glad you took the time to do it right when your tree rewards you with beauty, shade, and maybe even some fruit! ### Step 1: Dig the planting hole. ![Low section of couple planting tree]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball of the tree you’re planting. Make the hole the same depth as the root ball, being sure that your hole isn’t so deep that the trunk flare (also called root flare) will be completely buried. This is at the very bottom of the trunk, where it flares out a bit and transitions to roots. Make sure your hole is the correct depth by placing the root ball in the hole and laying your shovel handle across the width of the hole. This helps you to see where the top of the root ball is in relation to the height of the hole, or the ground level. **RELATED: [The 12 Best Trees for Front-Yard Landscaping]()** ### Step 2: Inspect the roots. ![Inspecting the roots of a tree about to be planted]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Upon removing the tree from its container, whether a plastic pot, burlap sack, or other, inspect the roots. If the tree was rootbound in its container, you will see a tight, circular pattern of roots. Break that up by using your hands to gently loosen and straighten the roots. You might have to cut tightly wound roots, root by root. Alternatively, you can cut an X into the bottom of the root ball, and cut vertical slices up the sides of the root ball. As to how to plant a bare root tree, soak the roots in water for at least an hour before planting. Spread the roots out to encourage outward growth. This important step for bare root or potted trees will free roots up to grow outward instead of around the root ball and encourages new roots to grow. ### Step 3: Set the tree in its new hole. ![Asian child girl helping her father to plant the young tree in the garden]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Place the tree in its hole, lifting it by the root ball. Double-check to make sure the root flare is visible above ground level. Check and recheck that the tree is straight. Walk around the tree, looking at it from different angles. **RELATED: [The 15 Best Trees for Any Backyard]()** ### Step 4: Backfill the hole. ![Person who dug a hole to transplant a tree in a garden]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Fill the hole using the same dirt you dug out. Don’t amend the soil with compost or fertilizer because the tree won’t send roots out into the native soil if you give it yummy soil right up close, and this results in a weaker tree. You do want to break up large clumps and remove rocks. Tamp down the soil occasionally as you fill to eliminate air pockets. ### Step 5: Add mulch. ![Gardener spreading bark mulch around newly planted pine tree]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Add a “ring” of mulch around the tree, but not right up to the tree trunk. The layer of mulch should be 3 to 4 inches deep. Start the mulch ring 6 inches or so away from the trunk, and bring the mulch out to about 4 feet in diameter around the tree. **RELATED:** [**11 Pro Tips for Strategically Planting Trees on Your Property**]() ### Step 6: Stake the tree, if necessary. ![Close up on how to Plant a Tree Correctly with Two Stakes. Planting Trees in Autumn. If your tree is still a sapling, use a stake to help it grow for about the first year of its life. Planting tree.]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Most trees don’t need staking, but some do: If the tree has a narrow trunk, was sold as bare root, or is being planted in a windy area, stake it. Drive into the ground two 4-foot stakes on opposite sides of the tree, outside of the root zone. Use a cloth strap or soft rubber tubing to loop around the tree trunk to the stakes. Don’t pull the straps too tight. Remove any ties on the tree after a year. ### Step 7: Properly water the tree. ![Watering freshly painted tree]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Water a newly planted tree slowly and near the root ball after planting. For the first year, keep the soil around a new tree moist. Water deeply about once a week, more in very hot and dry weather or soil that drains quickly. As the tree becomes established, you can cut back on watering. Assuming you planted a native or adapted tree, it eventually will need supplemental watering only in cases of drought. Other watering needs will vary based on tree type, soil conditions, and weather. **RELATED: [The Dos and Don’ts of Landscaping Around Trees]()** ## FAQs ## Final Thoughts ![Father and daughter planting a tree in garden at backyard]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* While you might be in a hurry to plant a tree so you can move on to another project, give your tree its best shot at success by taking your time with each step in the tree-planting process. This means putting forth the effort of digging a large enough hole, carefully positioning the tree in the hole, backfilling, mulching, and watering. A tree will reward careful planting with a long life of giving back to our environment, beautifying your landscape, and supporting wildlife. Check our articles on the [best trees for the backyard]() and the [best dwarf trees for the front yard]() for inspiration! ## Author Gretchen Heber is a writer, marketer, and entrepreneur based in Texas. A former garden editor and designer with the [Austin American-Statesman]() and [Lexington Herald](), she is passionate about succulents, herbs, and fruit trees, as well as lighting, energy efficiency, and all things home.