Planting Recommendations
Site Selection
Where you plant the tree is one of the most important factors that determines the success of your tree and shrub planting. Do not plant in a drainage swale between houses, next to sump pumps, roof drains, or any other location where water would stand after a rainfall.
There are three different ways your plant material will be packaged and each require a different planting method. Please refer to the appropriate method below:
Peat or Fibre Pot
- Identified by brown paper texture.
- Dig a hole a minimum of 15cm (6") deeper and wider than the pot.
- Add topsoil to the bottom of the hole to bring depth to height of the soil level in the pot.
- With a sharp knife cut the bottom off the pot but do not remove the pot.
- Place plant in hole and cut off top of pot to the soil level of the root ball.
- Fill the hole with water and let it soak into the rootball.
- Fill the hole with good topsoil ensuring that the top of the rootball is level with grade.
Plastic Pots
- Identified by rigid plastic in a variety of colours (usually black or green).
- Dig a hole a minimum of 15cm (6") deeper and wider than the pot.
- Add topsoil to the bottom of the hole to bring depth to height of the soil level in the pot.
- Tap the sides of the pot to loosen the soil.
- Carefully remove the tree or shrub from the pot and place plant gently in the hole.
- If you are planting a juniper or other potted evergreen, gently loosen roots that have encircled the ball to prevent the plant from girdling.*
- Fill hole with water and allow to soak into root ball. Repeat.
- Fill the hole with good topsoil ensuring that the top of the rootball is level with grade.
- If planting a tree, create a tree well by raking a ridge of soil 5-10cm (2-4") high just outside the root area.
Burlap and Wire Basket
- Identified by a burlap wrapped root ball in a wire basket.
- Dig a hole a minimum of 30cm (12") wider and as deep as the root ball. Leave a small mound in the centre of the hole for the tree to stand on. (see diagram)
- Remove plastic shrink wrap but leave on the wire and burlap.
- Place tree in hole and straighten tree by using a shovel handle to pry the basket, do not pull on the trunk.
- Partially backfill with topsoil to stabilize the tree and tamp the soil lightly.
- Cut and remove only the top 15cm (6") of the wire basket and burlap.
- Fill hole with water and allow to soak into root ball.
- Finish backfill with good topsoil ensuring that the top of the rootball is level with final grade.
- Create a tree well by raking a ridge of soil 5- 10cm (2-4") high just outside the root area.