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- [Skip to primary navigation](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/tree-planting/#genesis-nav-primary) - [Skip to main content](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/tree-planting/#genesis-content) - [Skip to footer](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/tree-planting/#genesis-footer-widgets) [](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/) Wildlife Mississippi Urban Forestry Growing Urban Forests in Mississippi and Arkansas - [How-To Guide](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/) - - - [Cost/Benefit Analysis](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/cost-benefit-analysis/) - [Plan & Design](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/cost-benefit-analysis/plan-design/) - [Trees](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/cost-benefit-analysis/trees/) - [Site Prep](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/cost-benefit-analysis/site-prep/) - [Management](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/cost-benefit-analysis/management/) - [Hazards](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/cost-benefit-analysis/hazards/) - [Worksheet](http://urbanforestrynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Tree-Management-Cost-Worksheet-for-Urban-and-Community-Trees.pdf) - - [Plan & Assess](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plan-assess/) - [Tree Inventory](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plan-assess/tree-inventory/) - [Choose Trees](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plan-assess/choose-trees/) - [Set Goals & Needs](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plan-assess/set-goals-needs/) - [Implement](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plan-assess/schedule/) - [Preserve Existing Trees](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plan-assess/existing-trees/) - [Plant](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/) - [Tree Planting](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/tree-planting/) - [Wildlife Planting](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/wildlife-management-planting/) - - [Protect](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/protect/) - [Why an Ordinance?](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/protect/why-an-ordinance/) - [Types of Ordinances](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/protect/types-of-ordinances/) - [Components](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/protect/components/) - [Sample Ordinance](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/protect/sample-ordinance/) - [Manage & Maintain](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/manage-maintain/) - [Water](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/manage-maintain/water/) - [Pruning](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/manage-maintain/pruning/) - [Resources](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/resources/) - [Benefits of Urban Forests](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/benefits-of-urban-forests/) - [Property Value & Aesthetics](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/benefits-of-urban-forests/property-value-aesthetics/) - [Air Quality](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/benefits-of-urban-forests/air-quality/) - [Water Quality & Retention](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/benefits-of-urban-forests/water-quality-retention/) - [Energy Costs](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/benefits-of-urban-forests/energy-costs/) - [Wildlife Habitat](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/benefits-of-urban-forests/wildlife-habitat/) - [About Us](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/about-us/) - [What We Do](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/about-us/what-we-do/) - [Who We Are](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/about-us/who-we-are/) - [Contact](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/about-us/contact/) - [News](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/about-us/news/) # HOW-TO GUIDE ### **Plant → Tree Planting** **PLANT** FOLLOW STEPS \>\> - [Tree Planting](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/tree-planting/) - [Wildlife Management Planting](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/wildlife-management-planting/)  ## How to Plant You Trees Planting a tree the right way sets it up for a healthy future. Proper techniques reduce stress, improve growth, and decrease water and maintenance needs. [Home](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/) » [How-To Guide](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/) » [Plant](https://urbanforestrynetwork.org/how-to-guide/plant/) » Tree Planting  ## How to Safely Transport Trees - Handle trees gently during transport. - Protect the roots, trunk, and leaves from damage—especially from strong winds. > Never lift a tree by the trunk. Always lift from beneath the root ball using proper equipment. ## Inspect Before You Plant - Check how the tree was grown at the nursery. - Remove **plastic containers** or **synthetic wraps** from the root ball—they don’t break down in soil. - Take off all **rope and twine** (jute or nylon) to prevent girdling (cutting into the bark as the tree grows). ## Dealing with Container Grown Trees - **Plastic containers must be removed.** - For **fiber pots**, break off the top or remove the pot entirely. - Some fiber pots are coated to last longer, but this slows root growth underground. - If roots are circling the outside of the root ball, **cut through them** in a few spots to prevent girdling. - Choose trees grown in containers with **vertical ribs or copper treatments** to reduce circling roots. ## Digging the Right Hole ### **Depth Matters** - Dig a hole **no deeper than the root ball**. - In poorly drained soils, dig **1–2 inches shallower** than the root ball and cover the exposed top with mulch. ### **Width of the Hole** - Make holes **2 to 3 times wider** than the root ball. This encourages roots to spread out horizontally. If using machines like augers or backhoes, **roughen the sides** of the hole to avoid glazing (hard, smooth surfaces that block root growth).  ## Managing Water Effectively - Build a **4–6 inch high earthen berm** around the edge of the planting hole (the drip zone). - This creates a basin to collect water and allow it to soak in slowly. - Don’t put **loose soil under the root ball**—it will settle over time and sink the tree. ## Backfilling and Mulching - Backfill with **original, unamended soil**—don’t add compost or organic material just to the planting hole. - To avoid air pockets: - Fill halfway with soil, **water thoroughly**, - Then finish filling and **water again**. - **Cover the top of the root ball with mulch**, but don’t pile mulch against the trunk.  ## How to Fertilize a Newly Planted Tree - Only use **slow-release granular fertilizer** when: - A soil test shows a need for phosphorus or potassium, or - You want to add nitrogen safely. - **Avoid fast-release fertilizers**—they can dry out the roots and harm the tree. ## Footer  Wildlife Mississippi Urban Forestry Funding for this project was provided by the USDA Forest Service ### Follow Us ### Contact Us P.O. 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 ## How to Safely Transport Trees - Handle trees gently during transport. - Protect the roots, trunk, and leaves from damage—especially from strong winds. > Never lift a tree by the trunk. Always lift from beneath the root ball using proper equipment. ## Inspect Before You Plant - Check how the tree was grown at the nursery. - Remove **plastic containers** or **synthetic wraps** from the root ball—they don’t break down in soil. - Take off all **rope and twine** (jute or nylon) to prevent girdling (cutting into the bark as the tree grows). ## Dealing with Container Grown Trees - **Plastic containers must be removed.** - For **fiber pots**, break off the top or remove the pot entirely. - Some fiber pots are coated to last longer, but this slows root growth underground. - If roots are circling the outside of the root ball, **cut through them** in a few spots to prevent girdling. - Choose trees grown in containers with **vertical ribs or copper treatments** to reduce circling roots. ## Digging the Right Hole ### **Depth Matters** - Dig a hole **no deeper than the root ball**. - In poorly drained soils, dig **1–2 inches shallower** than the root ball and cover the exposed top with mulch. ### **Width of the Hole** - Make holes **2 to 3 times wider** than the root ball. This encourages roots to spread out horizontally. If using machines like augers or backhoes, **roughen the sides** of the hole to avoid glazing (hard, smooth surfaces that block root growth).  ## Managing Water Effectively - Build a **4–6 inch high earthen berm** around the edge of the planting hole (the drip zone). - This creates a basin to collect water and allow it to soak in slowly. - Don’t put **loose soil under the root ball**—it will settle over time and sink the tree. ## Backfilling and Mulching - Backfill with **original, unamended soil**—don’t add compost or organic material just to the planting hole. - To avoid air pockets: - Fill halfway with soil, **water thoroughly**, - Then finish filling and **water again**. - **Cover the top of the root ball with mulch**, but don’t pile mulch against the trunk.  ## How to Fertilize a Newly Planted Tree - Only use **slow-release granular fertilizer** when: - A soil test shows a need for phosphorus or potassium, or - You want to add nitrogen safely. - **Avoid fast-release fertilizers**—they can dry out the roots and harm the tree.