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How to Plant a Tree

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1. Dig a hole deep and wide enough for the roots
tree

- Dig a hole deep and wide enough for the roots.

WHAT TO DO
WHAT NOT TO DO

- Don't bunch the roots together so they will fit into the hole.  If you hold the tree over the hole and the roots touch the edges, the hole is too small.

- Don't twist or tangle the roots.  The tips of the roots should point out and away from the trunk.

WHY?

- The roots need to be able to spread beyond the hole you've dug to reach water and nutrients further away.

- If the roots are tangled around the trunk they can grow wrapped around the trunk and choke the tree.

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2. Chop up the soil before covering the roots with it
WHAT TO DO

- Chop up the soil before covering the roots with it.

WHAT NOT TO DO

- Don't cover the roots with large chunks of soil.

WHY?

- Large chunks of soil will not fill in all the air pockets.  The roots will dry out if not completely surrounded with soil and the tree will die.

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3. Pack down the soil by firmly stepping around the stem

- Pack down the soil by firmly stepping around the stem.

WHAT TO DO
WHAT NOT TO DO

- Don't just use your hands to pat the soil down. You can press the soil down all the way around the trunk with your feet.

WHY?

- We need to make sure that all of the air pockets are filled with soil so the roots don't dry out.

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4. Water
WHAT TO DO

- Make sure to put at least 1 full bucket if the soil is dry.  If the soil is very wet already, you can give the tree less.

WHAT NOT TO DO

- Don't over-water or under-water the tree.  After you've watered the tree, the water should not pool around the tree for more than a minute.

WHY?

- We want to make sure the tree has enough water.

- If the water does not disappear after a minute, you probably didn't have to give it that much water.  Give the next tree you plant less water.

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5. Wrap a guard around the trunk and do a "bug" test

- Spread mulch in a ring around the tree.

WHAT TO DO

- Wrap a guard around the trunk and do a 'tug' test.

- Unwind the guard and twirl it around the bottom of the trunk, working your way upwards.

WHAT NOT TO DO

- Don't slide the guard down the tree from the tips of the trunk to the roots.

WHY?

- A trunk guard protects the tree from rodents and deer from nibbling at the bark.

- Sliding the guard down from the top of the tree to the bottom may tear off some buds.  Then the tree will have no leaves.

- A gentle tug at the base ensures the tree is planted, not loose.

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6. Spread the mulch evenly 8-10cm in thickness around the tree

- The mulch should be thinner near the trunk and thicker further away from the trunk.  The mulch should look like a 'donut' around the tree.

WHAT TO DO
WHAT NOT TO DO

- Don't mound the mulch up so that it is touching the trunk and the mulch is thickest near the trunk.

WHY?

- Mulch helps retain moisture and can house insects.  If there is constantly moisture on the trunk, the tree can rot and become diseased.

- Roots may start to grow from too high on the trunk where they don't belong.

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