How to Plant a Tree – Guide – Easy Steps

Planting a tree is one of the most important ecological steps you can take in your lifetime. In this guide, we will explain how to plant a tree and everything you need to know to make your tree grow properly.

When to Plant a Tree

It is always a good time to plant trees, as long as one can make a hole in the ground the tree can be planted. But the best time of all is autumn, so the tree will have a good period of adaptation until summer.

Before Planting a Tree

Before planting a tree, we must be sure of several things. The first will be to choose a place where the tree can grow properly, but it will also be important to know what species we will plant in that place.

For example, we will not be able to plant a tree that develops large roots near a sidewalk or where water pipes pass. That is why we must analyze very well what species we will choose and where we will place it.

Another important thing to take into account is the type of soil we have in our garden and the water needs of the future tree.

There are fast-growing trees like Paulownia tomentosa that could grow very fast in our garden. Taking into account the above-mentioned, we can now teach you how to plant a tree.

before plantig a tree

How to Plant a Tree Step by Step

Follow these simple steps and you will know how to plant a tree:

1- Find an area where your tree can receive natural sunlight and is free from interferences such as a nearby roof, wiring, poles, etc. Keep in mind that it should be a minimum area of 23 x 23 ft (7 x 7 meters).

2- Mark an area of 16” x 16” (40 x 40 centimeters) wide and long on the ground where you will do it and make a hole with a depth of approximately 16” (40 centimeters). These measurements are recommended for juvenile trees of 5 to 7 ft (1.5 to 2 meters).

For larger trees, space should be increased proportionally according to their height and the size of their crown.

3- Place some organic matter in the bottom of the hole where you will plant the tree.

4- Plant the tree in the hole, making sure to remove the bag the tree came in.

5- Fill the hole and press in the soil.

6- Ensure the correct growth of your tree by placing a wooden stick known as a stake, it can be a reed or even a broomstick.

7- Watering should be done every 3 days from planting until new leaves begin to sprout, then watering can be done once a week in winter and twice a week in summer.

The best time to water your tree is early in the morning or in the evening to prevent the sun from evaporating the water.

how to plant a tree
About Henry Morgan

We are the Morgans, Henry, and Julia, both agronomists from the University of Michigan, where we met. We are experts in putting our hands in the soil and developing organic foods and improving production processes for decades. Likewise, we have worked for companies such as Mondelez International, BASF, Monsanto, etc. currently in our role as science writers for TheGardenStyle.com as well as advisors in promoting large scale food growing in urbanized areas. In this website, we share what we are most passionate about, gardening and farming. Enjoy and see real photos on our website.