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Planting a Tree
Before you start, select a spot that is full of sun. Make the size of the hole twice the size of the root ball or container that the root is in. Do not go any deeper than the height of the root ball. When you refill the hole after planting the tree, use this dirt to pack it in. You don’t have to add anything like compost, peat moss, or shredded pine bark to this backfill. Use it as is.
After you plant the tree, build a 4-inch tall berm around the edge of the hole. Fill it with mulch. This will reduce the weeds and make it easier to water the tree.
Staking is not recommended for most trees. However, if the tree trunk is not sturdy enough, just use two stakes. Only give the tree this support for no more than a year.
Right after you plant the tree, water it by filling the inside of the heightened berm area. This will settle the existing soil around the root ball. Lightly water the tree for the first week after planting it everyday. Give it about 1 pint a day. During the second week, water every other day with about one quarter of water. The third week, water every three days with two quarters of water. On the fourth week and beyond, water once a week if needed. This will able the tree to be weaned off the supplemental irrigation gradually, and the root system will get large enough for the tree to thrive on natural rainfall.
To check the soil moisture under the mulch, use your index finger. Do not water it if the soil is cool to the touch. If it is warm and dry, water it. More plants are killed by over watering, then not watering at all.
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