Use and Care Guide

About is Plant
Shade Trees are known primarily for their outstanding ability to produce shade for the home landscape. Many
shade trees oer unique texture or stunning fall color. Use them around patios or in backyards to protect the
family from the mid-day sun and enhance your outdoor lifestyle. Evergreen Shade trees maintain their leaves
year round while deciduous varieties loose their leaves in the fall and re-leaf in the spring. Consider a trees'
mature size when making your selection; leaving plenty of room between the tree and house. Do not plant tall
trees under power lines. Properly placed around your home, trees can reduce air conditioning needs in the
summer and energy used for heating in the winter.
How to Plant
• Dig a hole 2 times the width of the root ball and a depth slightly less than the height of the root ball. Allow
the top surface of the root ball to rest 1/2 inch higher than the soil line.
• Amend native soil dug from hole by mixing with organic soil conditioner according to directions.
• For container grown plants, carefully remove plant by squeezing container and slowly removing the root ball.
Never pull on the plant trunk. Instead let the root ball slide out by tipping the container. If the plant is heavily
rooted, loosen roots by gently pulling a few away from the root ball. is encourages stronger root growth.
Set root ball in hole making sure the top of the root ball is slightly higher (1/2 inch) than ground level. Place
soil mix under root ball if too low. Backll soil mix around plant to ground level and tamp lightly removing
all air pockets.
• For balled and burlaped plants (B&B), do not remove any materials surrounding the root ball yet. is
includes any string, wiring, nails, cages or burlap. Set root ball in hole making sure the top of the root ball is
slightly higher (1/2 inch) than ground level. Place soil mix under root ball if too low. Remove any ties around
the root ball. Backll soil mix around plant to ground level and tamp lightly removing all air pockets. Cut the
burlap away from the trunk and be sure all edges are buried well below the soil surface. is helps prevent the
root ball from drying out.
• For bare root plants, trim any broken, twisted or discolored tips. Determine the original soil line by the
change in color on the plant trunk. Set the plant in the hole so the soil line is above the surrounding soil.
Space the roots evenly. Backll soil mix around and between the roots and tamp lightly removing all air.
• Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the plant. Add more soil mix around plant if necessary aer
watering. Apply a root stimulator to encourage new root growth and fast establishment.
• Build a soil ring around the plant, 6" beyond the edge of the hole, to use as a water reservoir to assist in
watering until established.
• Add a 2-3" layer of mulch around plant to conserve soil moisture and eliminate future weeds.
• For trees, it may be necessary to secure the trunk by using three stakes placed at equal distances around the
tree.
How to Water
• New plants require more frequent watering than established plants. Aer planting check for water regularly
until fully rooted and established.