TREES SHOULD BE PLANTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If planting will be delayed by one or two days, keep the roots moist within a plastic bag and keep in a cool, shaded location.
Planting Instructions:
· If possible, soak the tree roots in water for 1-2 hours before planting. DO NOT leave seedlings soaking in water any longer than this as the roots can actually suffocate from being in water for too long. Remove the tree from water and plant immediately. Cloudy weather is best for planting. Prolonged exposure of the tender roots to wind, sun and drying will kill them.
· Dig a hole 1/3 wider than the roots as they would spread naturally from the trunk. This will give room for the roots to grow outward without crowding. Remove any grass within a 3 foot diameter around the tree.
· Be careful not to dig the hole deeper than the crown, the area on the trunk where the first roots appear. Planting too deep can injure or kill your tree.
· Once you are sure the tree is not too deep, fill your hole while holding the tree upright in place.
· Jiggle the roots up and down a bit to make sure the soil fills in all the spaces among the roots. Soil should be firmly, but not tightly, packed around the roots.
· Water the tree well.
· After the water has soaked in, spread protective mulch in a 3 foot diameter area around the base of the tree, BUT NOT TOUCHING THE TRUNK.
· The soil and mulch around your tree should be kept moist but not soggy. During dry weather, generously water the tree every 7 to 10 days during the first couple of years.
· We recommend putting a fence (such as chicken wire) around your trees if your site is feeding ground for rabbits, deer or other wildlife.
· Do not use fertilizer, potting soil or chemicals on your baby trees. Such products can kill young trees.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION...
HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK® is a grassroots call-to-action to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planing native plants and creating new ecological networks. Their mission is to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function because every human being on this planet needs diverse highly productive ecosystems to survive. Their initial goal is 20 million acres of native plantings in the U.S. This represents approximately 1/2 of the green lawns of privately-owned property. Learn more at...
https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
