If you have a garden in front or behind your house, you can enjoy various types of plants including flowers and trees. Trees will not only bring happiness to you and your family, but also have additional benefits such as cleaning the air, providing oxygen, providing shade for roads, inviting wild animals, and preventing erosion. However, planting trees is more than just digging a hole and inserting a tree into it. You will need to consider the soil, the climate in your area, suitable plants for your area, and other factors such as land use regulations, before planting a tree. By taking the time to think about these factors, you will be able to plant and enjoy a tree or several years later.
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Part 1 of 4: Determining the Types of Trees to Plant
Step 1. Consider your goals
Before starting the process of planting one or more trees, consider the main objective first. Do you want to add some trees in the area of the house to make the curb look wider and increase the value of the house? Or maybe you just want the sheer joy of watching trees grow and inviting wild animals like birds perched on tree branches. Knowing what you want to plant trees for will help you make the best decisions about things, from what kind of tree will best suit your needs to where to plant it.
Step 2. Think about the climate in your area
You need to think about the weather in your area before planting trees in order to find plant species that will survive and thrive in your garden or yard. Using the Plant Hardiness Zone scale can not only help identify the local climate, but also the types of plants to be planted.
- The Arbor Day Foundation (a tree planting organization in the United States) offers a system for identifying plant climates called Plant Resilience Zones. This system divides the United States and Canada into 11 zones based on a difference of -12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit) in the mean annual minimum temperature.
- The United States, for example, is located in Zone 2 based on a difference of -12 degrees Celsius.
- You can access the Plant Resilience Zone at https://shop.arborday.org/content.aspx?page=zone-lookup and find your zone.
- Knowing your zone will help identify the types of trees and other plants that can be grown and are expected to grow in the different temperature zones.
- Be aware that Plant Resilience Zones do not account for local differences such as humidity, soil, wind, and other conditions that could affect plant resistance.
Step 3. Consider soil conditions
You also need to consider the soil in your home area before planting trees. Factors such as sloping soil, surrounding area, drainage, and erosion can have an impact on what types of trees will thrive in your area.
- For example, if you live in hilly or sloping land, then planting a tree is not a good idea because the roots may not support it well.
- If you're planting trees to prevent erosion, you'll want to plant trees that already have a strong root ball so they don't get carried away by water during rains or storms.
- Think about what types of trees and plants are there so that the tree you plant not only fits the overall design beauty, but also has room to grow and won't kill the surrounding plants and trees.
Step 4. Learn the rules in your area for digging holes and planting trees
Most community communities have land use rules regarding plants and digging holes in house areas within its boundaries. It's important to learn these rules so you can dig and plant trees. Otherwise, in addition to preventing you from planting trees, these communities may also impose fines.
- Land use regulations associated with planting often relate to digging holes near telephone poles, power lines, and other cables. You need to make sure you know where these cables and systems are before digging a hole.
- You should also check with your local utility service company (electricity, water, telephone, gas) about digging around poles and cables so as not to disturb or hurt anyone while planting or when trees are growing.
- In the United States, you can call 811 before digging a hole. Public utility cables in your area will be marked as excavated, helping to prevent damage, injury, and fines.
Step 5. Consult a professional
If you have questions or are unsure about something related to tree planting, talk to a professional tree planting expert in your area. Consulting with someone who understands the wants and conditions in your area can help find the best crops to grow.
You can go to your local nursery to find a professional tree planting expert or use the Arbor Day Foundation's search tool to help find a professional tree planting expert in your area. The search tool is located at
Step 6. Buy a tree
After studying the climate, soil, and land use rules, you are ready to buy trees to plant. Buy trees that are appropriate for your area, climate, and yard.
- Trees native to your area tend to grow well and so it's likely that you won't include plant species that can spread. It is easier to care for trees that are native to an area.
- You can find the best tree species in your area. For example, if you live in northern Canada, growing palm trees is not possible. The Arbor Day Foundation can help find the best trees for your area by simply entering a zip code or Plant Resilience Zone into the search engine at
- The principle is that plants with bare roots-that is, those in burlap sacks and not in containers-grow better than trees in containers.
Part 2 of 4: Preparation for Planting a Tree
Step 1. Choose the right time to plant trees
You need to give your plants the best chance to grow and survive. Planting at the right time is a major factor in this. Planting times vary depending on the type of plant and where you live.
Step 2. You usually want to plant the tree in its dormant or non-flowering period during cold weather
Again, this varies depending on where you live.
- If you are unsure about the best time to plant a tree, consult the community service agency at your local university or a similar institution. Every state in the United States has a university community service agency and various countries including India and Kenya also have one.
- If you live in the United States, you can find university community service agencies using the National Institute for Food and Agriculture's interactive online map at
Step 3. Prepare the tree for planting
When buying a tree, you need to prepare it for planting. This will help ensure that you plant the right tree and that it will survive. The process is slightly different between small trees and large trees.
- If the tree is young, gently turn it over to remove it from the container. If it's in a burlap sack, wait to cut it until it's time to plant it in the ground.
- If the tree is old, cut it through the container. If it's in a burlap sack, wait to cut it until it's time to plant it in the ground.
- If there are wire baskets or wires on the tree roots, remove them with wire shears so they don't penetrate the roots and kill the tree.
- Remove as much soil as possible around the roots and do not move them to prevent them from drying out.
- Do not leave the tree roots out of the burlap container or sack for too long as this can damage or dry them out.
- If you decide to plant a seed instead of an already growing tree, follow these steps. Growing a tree from seed means getting the seed to sprout, planting it at the right time, and caring for it carefully. This method takes more time than just removing the tree from the container.
- In order for the seeds to germinate, you must use scarification. This means removing the seed coat and letting moisture in so the plant embryo can begin to germinate.
- When the seeds have sprouted, plant them in a container or seed tray. Move the tray or container to a brighter, well-ventilated location.
- Each type of tree has different seeds with different needs, so be sure to follow the instructions according to the type of tree you are planting.
Step 4. Know that if you plant a tree from a fruit seed, you will not get the same type of tree
For example, if you plant seeds for a Golden Delicious apple, you will not get a Golden Delicious apple tree. You can only find out when the tree bears fruit.
If you want to grow a tree that produces a certain type of fruit, it is best to buy from a nursery to help make sure the tree has a good rootstock and you get the exact same fruit you want
Part 3 of 4: Planting Trees
Step 1. Decide where to plant the tree and mark the location
Once you've had the opportunity to study the soil and think about a destination, you can decide where to plant trees. Mark this location with a clear, wide circle.
- Be sure to consider things like the location of power lines, the location of houses and roads, as well as other trees so that their roots don't damage the area of the house as they grow.
- Use a special marker paint to mark this planting location. This paint container has a special pipe so you can spray it upside down.
Step 2. Measure the root ball
Before starting to dig a hole to plant a tree, measure the root ball. This lets you know how deep the hole needs to be.
- At this point, you can remove the burlap sacks that are around the spreading roots, or where the roots are connected to the trunk.
- Using a cultivator or garden trowel, remove the topsoil from the root ball.
- Remove enough soil to expose the roots.
- Measure the height and width of the root ball, from the bottom to the top of the visible root, and from side to side.
Step 3. Prepare the hole for the tree
Using a shovel, dig a hole where the tree will be planted. You need to make sure the hole is large enough to fit the size of the tree and provide plenty of room to grow and accommodate roots.
- Dig a hole 2-3 times wider and deeper than the root ball. This will provide enough room for the tree to be inserted and allow new roots to grow without stress.
- Try to dig a hole with a small earthen “football” in the center of the hole where the tree is placed. The hole should be a little deeper around the edges but have an earthy pedestal in the center where the root ball is placed. This soil support prevents the root ball from being submerged in water. The excess water will run into the deeper part of the hole around the edges where the roots can absorb it if needed.
- Measure the hole to see if it is wide and deep enough. If necessary, dig again to reach the desired depth and width.
- Put a small amount of superphosphate fertilizer in the hole to promote a healthy root system.
Step 4. Insert the tree into the hole slowly
It's time to plant trees. After carefully preparing the hole, slowly insert the tree into its new home. If it doesn't fit, lift the tree again, and adjust the size of the hole.
- Make sure the hole is not too deep or too shallow. The bottom of the plant should be at the same level as the soil surface after the hole is filled with soil again.
- Don't pile up the part where the stem turns into roots, also called the crown, or leave the roots visible.
- You can position the shovel handle evenly over the hole from side to side to measure whether the crown is level with the surrounding soil before the hole is filled with soil.
Step 5. Position the tree
If the tree is already in the hole, find the best side and position it in the desired direction. Doing this will ensure that you can enjoy the appearance of the tree as well as ensure that the tree has the best view from the front.
- Remove the remnants of the burlap from the tree roots at this stage.
- Make sure you position the tree as upright as possible. The way the tree is positioned will affect its growing conditions for years to come.
- Consider using a level level to measure if the tree is positioned correctly. You can also ask a friend or family member to see if the tree is positioned perfectly.
- Use wooden posts to help the tree grow upright if necessary.
Step 6. Refill the hole
Make sure there is enough soil to support the roots and give them room to grow.
- Backfill three-quarters of the hole with soil that is already available, one-fourth with compost or fertilizer if necessary.
- It is important to ensure that there are no air holes around the roots when filling the holes. To remove any air holes that may be present, backfill the hole and compact it with your hand or a shovel. Do this step for the next layer.
- When compacting the hole, be sure to do it slowly and also don't use your feet as this can destroy the roots.
- Use compost or manure if necessary. If the existing soil is poor, clay-like in quality, or has a sandy texture, then adding fertilizer or compost will give the tree a good start.
- If the compost or manure smells bad, it means it has not been treated properly and should not be used because it can kill the tree.
- Avoid the urge to use commercial fertilizers. Fertilizers like this can encourage excessive tree growth and make the tree die or not thrive.
- Pay extra attention to fruit trees and nuts. Adding fertilizer or compost is important when growing trees or fruit nuts.
Step 7. Install wooden posts if necessary
If the tree is young, use wooden stakes to help the tree grow in its first year of life. This will keep the tree from being blown by the wind and will make its roots strong.
- Make sure the wooden posts are tied loosely to the tree trunk. Do not damage the bark or tighten around the trunk.
- Remove the wooden stakes when the roots become strong, after a year.
- Large trees may require two or three logs.
Part 4 of 4: Caring for Trees
Step 1. Water the newly planted tree
When the tree is planted, water it and carry out regular watering. This will help the roots to become firm in the surrounding soil.
- Water the tree daily for a few weeks to strengthen the roots. After that, you can reduce the frequency of watering.
- Water if necessary according to the conditions in your area. Consider humidity, rainfall, and sunlight to help decide when to water the tree.
- If you are growing fruit or nut trees for your small home orchard, continue to water them weekly for tree survival, as the harvest depends on a consistent watering system. You will also need to fertilize fruit and nut trees monthly or according to package directions.
Step 2. Use mulch
Consider adding a layer of mulch around the tree to help retain moisture and prevent grass from growing.
- Cover the planting hole with hardwood chips or leaf mulch to a height of 2.5 – 7.6 cm. Keep the mulch at least 30 cm away from the tree trunk, otherwise it can cause the trunk to rot.
- Mulching around the tree will protect the tree from trampling and lawn mowers, two activities that can usually kill young trees.
Step 3. Prune the tree if necessary
If any tree trunks are broken, dead, or diseased, prune them gently with a knife or plant shears. If there are no problems with the tree, then there is no need to prune it until after the first growing season.
Step 4. Enjoy the tree as it grows over the years
Appreciate its shade and beauty and thank yourself for adding trees to the world. You won't regret it and as long as you take care of it properly, trees can grow longer!
- You need to make sure to water the plant so that it thrives. You need to strike a balance by providing enough water to reach the roots while not making them stagnate.
- Watering the tree with a steady stream of water from the garden hose for 30 seconds is sufficient. The soil should always feel moist and the mulch will help retain moisture.
- Check the soil for moisture by digging 5 cm below the soil surface and using your finger to check whether the soil is damp or not. If so, you don't need to water it.
Tips
- If planting a tree in a container, spread out the roots in the planting hole. If the shape is too circular, make a vertical cut. The roots will grow back. It is important that the roots immediately come into contact with the backfilled soil.
- Consider the height and spread of the tree. Small oaks, planted a short distance from the house, could be dangerous during a storm in 30 years from now. Plant it further apart or plant a tree that doesn't grow too tall.
