How-to
Planting a tree the right way
Plant a new tree at the right depth and in the right spot, and water it through its first season.
Satisfy+ Editorial · Published September 9, 2026 · 2 min read
At a glance
- When
- Fall after the leaves drop, or early spring before the buds open
- Hole
- 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball, no deeper
- Mulch
- 2 to 3 inches, kept off the trunk
- Water
- At least once a week until mid-fall
The best times to plant are the dormant seasons, in fall after the leaves drop and in early spring before the buds break. Cool weather gives the roots time to settle before spring rain and summer heat push new growth. Most of a tree's roots grow in the top 12 inches of soil, so planting too deep can harm a new tree.
What you need
- A shovel
- A tape measure
- Mulch
- A hose
- A second person to check the tree is straight
Steps
- 1
Call 811 before you dig
Have the underground lines marked, and never assume they're buried deeper than you plan to dig. Calling 811 before you dig covers how.
10 min
- 2
Look up and look down at the spot
A tall tree under a power line will eventually need pruning by the utility, which can spoil its shape and shorten its life. The roots often spread wider than the branches and can damage water, sewer and gas lines.
10 min
- 3
Find the trunk flare
It's where the trunk widens at the base. Brush off extra soil from the top of the root ball until you can see it.
5 min
- 4
Dig a wide, shallow hole
Make it 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball and only as deep as the root ball.
30 min
- 5
Take off the wrapping
Remove any burlap or cover. Cut off the wire basket or its top rings. Straighten or cut any roots circling the root ball.
10 min
- 6
Set the tree at the right height
Lift it by the root ball, never the trunk, so the flare sits partly visible above the soil. Have someone look from a few angles to check that it's straight.
10 min
- 7
Fill the hole firmly
Pack soil around the base of the root ball and water as you go to remove air pockets. Skip the fertilizer at planting.
15 min
- 8
Stake only if you have to
Trees grow stronger trunks and roots without stakes. A bare-root tree or a windy spot may need three stakes, which come out after the first year.
10 min
- 9
Mulch the base
Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch, and leave a bare ring 1 to 2 inches wide around the trunk so the bark stays dry.
10 min
- 10
Water every week
Keep the soil moist with at least one watering a week when it doesn't rain, more in hot or windy weather, until mid-fall.
10 min
Plant the new tree and get it established
- Call 811 before digging the planting hole
- Water the new tree
- Remove the stakes after the first year
Prune lightly after planting. Cut only branches damaged in planting, and wait a full growing season before any other pruning. A certified arborist can help with where to plant and how the tree is doing.
FAQ
How deep should I plant a tree?
Only as deep as the root ball, with the trunk flare partly visible above the soil.
When is the best time to plant a tree?
In the fall after the leaves drop or in early spring before the buds open.
Should I stake a new tree?
Only if you need to, such as for a bare-root tree or a windy spot. Remove the stakes after the first year.
Sources
Checked October 19, 2026
- International Society of Arboriculture. Planting a tree (2026)
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