DIY Network

Planting a Tree Planting a Tree From "Ask DIY Gardening" episode DADG-108

Many new neighborhoods have beautiful houses but not many trees. So if you want to soften your yard or create a little shade, plant a tree! Today DIY gardening expert Walter Reeves shows you the proper way to plant a tree so it will thrive.

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• Trees can fill in stark open spaces of some newer suburbs, but they also provide a place for birds to nest, and they help clean the air. A tree is a long-term investment, so before you buy, know what you want. Decide if you want a tree that's ornamental, like a Bradford pear, or one that will grow really large.

• Consider where you'll plant your tree. The location can help determine what you buy. If you'll be planting near a sidewalk, you may want a smaller tree because the pavement can restrict root growth. The concrete will also reflect the hot sun, so you'll want a tree that will grow in some stressful situations. If your tree will grow really tall, don't place it in the way of power lines. And you may not want to plant it too close to your home either.

• When you dig the hole for your tree, make sure it's deep enough to cover the root ball. When you put the tree in the hole, the root ball should be level with the ground. If it's too high, roots will be exposed and it won't get enough water. If it's too low, water can collect around the trunk and that can cause disease.

• Put some fertilizer in the hole before you plant the tree. This will make sure your tree is getting necessary nutrients. Break up the root ball. Disturb it just enough so that its roots will spread. Replace the dirt around the tree, tamping it down with your foot.

• Give it a good soaking. Water it twice a week during the hot and dry temperatures. You may want to build a water ring around the tree. Create a circle made of dirt and fill it with water once a week. It will soak into the roots below

• Placing mulch around your trees once they're established will help prevent them from drying out. When your tree starts to grow, sit back and enjoy the shade. Know that you not only helped increase the beauty of your neighborhood but you helped the environment as well.