Plant trees at the right depth and in properly prepared holes. Remove all twine, burlap, and plastic from the root ball before placing the tree in the hole. Water the tree thoroughly after planting and apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture. Fall is the ideal time for planting trees, while spring is also suitable.

1. Graphics / Illustration: Tom Laird, College of
Agricultural Sciences. Copyright Penn State.
Preparing Your Site for Successful Tree Planting
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Penn State Pointers
For Spring/Summer/Fall Time Frame
Root ball
Firm, high quality topsoil
Recommendations...
• Plant the right tree for
the site conditions: soil pH,
compaction, sun, shade
and moisture.
• Remove all twine from
around the trunk. Remove
natural burlap (and wire
basket) from upper half of
root ball, then push burlap
into the bottom of the hole.
All plastic coverings must
be removed from the hole.
• Water the tree by slowly
soaking the ground and
root ball as soon as the
tree is planted.
• Spread 2 to 3 inches of
mulch around the tree base
to retain moisture. Keep
mulch 2-3 inches from trunk.
• Avoid fertilizing the tree
for the first year until its
root system is established.
BEST TIMES
TO PLANT...
Fall is ideal,
spring is O.K.
• Plant trees as
deep as the root balls
in wide holes that are
two to three times the
width of the root ball.
• Level the top of the root
balls with the existing terrain.
• If suitable, backfill with
the original soil from
the hole.