Source: Rosehill Gardens.
Planting a tree in the yard is a great way to put down some roots and show the neighbors you’re serious about staying a while. Here are five things you should do when you make the decision to plant a tree.
- Pick a tree. It seems pretty obvious, but there are many species for you to choose from, and you will want to find one that fits your existing landscape and is suited for our climate and soil conditions.
- Decide where you want to plant your tree and where you want it oriented within your landscape. Make sure trees needing shade find a shaded spot and trees needing full sun find open areas. Turn the tree so the structure fits your needs.
- Always call the city and have your utilities marked before you put a shovel in the dirt.
- Dig your hole at least a foot in circumference larger than the root ball so you have space to provide loose soil and fertilizer for around and under the tree. That provides an area for roots to easily grow into. Be careful not to bury the trunk when you put the soil in around the roots. Keep the bottom trunk of the tree one inch above the ground for each caliper inch at the trunk of the tree. If your tree has burlap or wire, leave it on the tree when planting. It will help keep the roots and dirt together when getting the tree established, and it will help keep the tree upright also. The roots will grow right through the burlap.
- Once your tree is in the ground, make sure to stake it and give it a thick layer of mulch. This will help it grow straight and prevent soil compaction. Clear the mulch about six inches from the trunk of the tree, creating a mulch doughnut around the tree.
For help with your landscaping in Kansas City, contact the professional team at Rosehill Gardens. Since 1914, we’ve been building the most beautiful landscapes in town, and we’d love to make you our next satisfied client.