Released May 7, 2007
AMES, Iowa -- Trees provide beauty, shade and habitats for wildlife. They also can screen unsightly views, provide privacy, reduce noise pollution, lower utility bills and provide many other benefits. Trees are typically purchased at garden centers and nurseries as balled and burlapped or container-grown plants.
Balled and burlapped (B&B) trees are dug with balls of soil around their roots. The rootballs are wrapped in burlap and held in place with twine or nails. Large trees are placed in wire baskets for additional support. Balled and burlapped trees can be successfully planted from spring to fall.
Container-grown trees have been grown in containers for one or more seasons. As a result, container-grown plants have well developed root systems. The planting season for container-grown stock is the same as for balled and burlapped material. Generally, container-grown plants are smaller in size and lower in price in comparison to balled and burlapped stock.
To successfully establish trees in the home landscape, it’s important to follow proper planting techniques.
Planting Balled and Burlapped Trees Dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the diameter of the tree’s rootball. The depth of the hole should be 2 or 3 inches less than the height of the rootball. Slope the sides of the hole so the top of the hole is several inches wider than the bottom.
Grasping the tree’s rootball, carefully lower the tree into the hole. The top of the rootball should be approximately 2 or 3 inches above the surrounding soil line. Make sure the trunk is straight. Then begin backfilling with the original soil. Do not add compost, peat, or other organic materials to the soil. Gently firm the backfill soil in the hole with your hands.
When the planting hole is one-half full, cut and remove all twine. Also, cut away and remove the burlap on the top one-third to one-half of the rootball. If the rootball is in a wire basket, remove the top one-third to one-half of the basket. Completely fill the remainder of the hole with soil. Place soil up to the top of the rootball and gradually slope it down to the surrounding soil line. Thoroughly water the tree.
Poorly drained sites are difficult locations for many trees. When selecting trees for these sites, choose trees that can tolerate poorly drained conditions. When planting, the depth of the planting hole should be approximately two-thirds of the height of the rootball. When placed in the hole, the top one-third of the rootball should be above the surrounding soil. When backfilling, place soil to the top of the rootball and gradually slope it down to the surrounding soil line.
Planting Container-Grown Trees Prepare a planting hole as described for balled and burlapped trees. The width of the hole should be two to three times the diameter of the container. The depth of the hole should be 2 or 3 inches less than the height of the soil ball. Slope the sides of the hole so the top is several inches wider than the bottom. In poorly drained soils, the depth of the hole should be approximately two-thirds the height of the soil ball.
Once the hole has been prepared, carefully lay the tree on its side. Tap the sides of the container to loosen the soil ball from the container, then slide the container off of the soil ball. It’s often necessary to cut off the containers of large, container-grown trees. Also, cut away the containers of poorly established trees to prevent the soil ball from falling apart. Begin by cutting off the bottom of the container. Place the tree in the hole, then cut away the sides of the container. All containers should be removed, even supposedly plantable containers.
If the sides of the soil ball are a mass of roots, make several 1/2-inch-deep cuts up the sides of the soil ball with a sharp knife. Also, make a 1/2-inch-deep, x-shaped cut on the bottom of the soil ball. Carefully place the tree in the hole. The top of the soil ball should be approximately 2 or 3 inches above the surrounding soil. In poorly drained sites, the top one-third of the soil ball should stick above the surrounding soil.
Gradually fill the hole with soil. With each new addition of soil, firm it in place with your hands. Once planted, water thoroughly.
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http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/may/070202.htm
Contacts: Richard Jauron, Horticulture, (515) 294-1871, rjauron@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Extension Communications and Marketing, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu
