The Ultimate Tree-Planting Guide | ~ Texas Homesteader

by Texas Homesteader ~

Planting a tree can not only beautify your surroundings but also improve air quality, provide a habitat for wildlife and even potentially save you money on your electric bill.

We’ll walk you through the proper way to plant a tree: how to choose the best tree for your area, the proper ways to plant and how to care for the newly-planted tree afterward too.

(Note: Some links in this post will take you to other related articles for further information. But links preceded with * are affiliate links. If you click and buy something I could receive a tiny commission.)

Benefits Of Planting A Tree

Trees offer many benefits:

Environmental Impact – Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, making the air cleaner.

Cooling Effect – Trees provide shade and cooling. Proper placement could even reduce energy costs in your home by keeping it cooler during hot summer months.

Landscape Beauty – Different sizes/shapes/colors of tree varieties enhance the beauty of your landscape, adding color and interest.

Habitat For Birds – Branches & leaves provide shelter for birds and other wildlife.

How Do You Choose The Right Tree?

Deciding what kind of tree to plant is a personal choice. But you should choose one that grows well in your location.

Your local extension agent or the Arbor Day Foundation are great assets for determining the best tree suitable for your area. (reference links at the end of this post)

Your choice can be based on a desired trait, such as:

Fruit tree such as apple, pear, etc.

Flowering tree such as Dogwood, Redbud, Crape Myrtle etc.

Trees with bright fall foliage such as Red Oak, Pistache or Maple.

When Is The Best Time For Planting A Tree?

The best time to plant a tree is when the young tree can devote the most time growing roots underground rather than trying to grow branches larger above ground.

According to Texas A&M University; here in the warmer climate of Texas the best time to plant a tree in is during the cooler and wetter fall and early winter months. (reference links at the end of this post)

What Is The Proper Way To Plant A Tree?

When you find the perfect location to plant your tree, it’s important to plant it correctly to give your new tree its greatest chance for success.

BE SURE TO CALL BEFORE YOU DIG! In the US, call 811 at least 48 to 72 hours before you plant your tree. They will mark underground utility lines for free.

Dig Correct Sized Hole. It’s important to dig the hole no deeper than the root ball but 2-3 times wider than the root ball diameter. This allows the root ball to sit on firm ground with loosened soil around the perimeter to allow easier root expansion.

Helpful Tip: Place a tarp on the ground to shovel your dirt onto while digging the hole. It will be easier to replace the dirt when the tree is planted.

Don’t bury the root ball too deep. If you cover the top of the root ball with soil the tree will struggle to survive. Make sure the top of the root ball is level to or just above ground level.

Do not amend soil. Backfill only with soil excavated from the hole you dig. Otherwise you could keep the roots from reaching out further & thriving.

Water thoroughly after planting to allow soil to fill in air pockets. Do not overly compress the soil around your newly-planted tree.

Apply mulch 3”- 4” thick. But keep mulch at least 3″-4″ from the trunk.

After The Tree Is Planted

After the tree is planted, there are still a few things to assure your tree gets a healthy start.

Protect Tree From Grass Trimmers

Lawn maintenance tools can really damage your new tree. A *Tree Trunk Protector will help protect the tree.

Staking A New Tree

We often use 3 t-posts to form a triangle & then tie a natural jute line loosely from each of the t-posts to the tree to keep it from being blown too hard by the wind. (But not so tight that it wouldn’t move at all.)

NOTE: A little wind sway room helps your tree build stronger roots. But too much wind sway can break tender roots.

Tree Well For Water Retention

We level the soil around the tree level or slightly below the root ball.

But we make a ridge around the outside circumference of the dirt to make a small tree well. This helps retain rainwater that falls around the tree or water from a water hose until the moisture has time to soak in to the roots.

Adding Mulch When Planting A Tree

We also add a thick 3″ – 4″ layer of natural wood-chip mulch, being sure to keep it a few inches away from the trunk of the tree.

This will help insulate the newly-planted tree’s roots from the cold winter air as well as preserve moisture and reduce weed/grass competition during spring and summer months.

So go ahead and get your new tree planted as soon as summer’s heat wanes. You’ll be rewarded for years to come!

~TxH~

My Favorite Garden Hacks

Garden Planning

Seed Planting

Soil Health

Garden Styles

Garden Plants/Harvest

Water/Irrigation/Drought

Weed Control

Garden Tips

~Texas Homesteader~

Working To Provide For Ourselves On Our Texas Homestead

The Ultimate Guide For Planting A Tree: Step-By-Step Guide For Success