How to Plant a Tree

Planting a tree is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Whether it is to enhance your garden, to remember a loved one or celebrate an occasion, trees truly are the gifts that keep giving. Whether you order your tree as bare root or in a container planting will affect how well the tree will grow. Follow our expert guides to ensure you give your tree the best start.

How to Plant a Container Tree

Container trees can be planted at any time of the year but establish best when planted during the autumn. Our tips on how to plant a container tree will help your tree get off to the best possible start in life.

Dig a hole twice the size of the pot and break up the soil at the bottom of the hole. We recommend sprinkling a sachet of our Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi to help the tree establish. Remove from the pot and tease out the roots. Position the tree with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. Back fill with a mix of compost and soil and firm well so there are no air pockets. If the tree is in an exposed site, then use the stake and tie to keep it steady for the first few years; place the stake on the westerly side. If there is any danger of rabbits or deer then put a guard round the trunk or they may strip the bark and harm the tree.

Watch the below step-by-step video to guide you in the right direction of how to plant a container tree.

How to Plant a Bare Root Tree

Bare root trees are to be planted when they’re dormant from November to March. If planting conditions are not ideal when the tree arrives, then heeling in is recommended. This allows the right planting moment to be taken from then on. Our tips on how to plant a bare root tree will help your tree get off to the best possible start in life.

Soak the roots for at least an hour before planting. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and break up the soil at the bottom of the hole. We recommend sprinkling a sachet of our Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi to help the tree establish. Position the tree with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. Back fill with a mix of compost and soil and firm well so there are no air pockets. If the tree is in an exposed site then use the stake and tie to keep it steady for the first few years; place the stake on the westerly side. If there is any danger of rabbits or deer then put a guard round the trunk or they may strip the bark and harm the tree.

Go to Caring For Bare Root Trees and Rootstocks for detailed advice.

Watch the below step-by-step video to guide you in the right direction of how to plant a bare root tree.