How to plant a tree in Auckland.
How to plant a tree in Auckland.
When you have spent time and money on a young tree, then take some time to make sure you give it the best start in its forever home.
Follow these simple steps to give your tree the best chance of thriving.
Prepare the site so it is weed and lawn-free by spraying or mulching a few days before you are ready to plant and water the area well.
- Water the tree thoroughly before planting.
- Dig a hole at least twice the size of the bag or root ball.
- If you are concerned your soil may be deficient or you are planting a heavy-feeding tree then a fertilizer tablet can be placed in the hole too.
- Gently loosen the root ball.
- Place the tree in the hole no deeper than the pot or bag it is growing in and backfill around the roots with the soil and additional compost to make sure the tree is well secured.
- Take extra care to ensure the tree is straight.
- Prune the tree for form where needed.
- Apply mulch around the tree to help retain moisture and keep the weeds out.
- Stake the young tree if needed using one or 3 stakes.
- Water well to allow the roots to bed into the soil.
Keep an eye on your young tree for early signs of issues while the tree establishes itself including checking the stakes to make sure they don’t rub on the tree.
Water once a week over the following dry season until the roots are deep and spread out enough to cope when water is scarce.