WHERE?

Choose a location to plant your tree. Make sure there will be enough room for the tree to grow. Are there overhead wires? Underground utilities? (get in touch with the local utility company)

Note the conditions...what soil type? (sandy, clay, rocky, silt...)

Is it wet? Dry? Sunny? Shady?

Is it a crowded space between buildings?

Is it very near a road?

Do you want to shade your house or garden/yard?

Do you want to bring color or wildlife to your yard?

WHAT?

You will need to plant a tree that will grow in your geographic area as well as with the particular conditions of your chosen spot.

Contact a local nursery, state forester or garden club to find out what trees would prosper.

HOW?

The tree's rootball should be kept moist until ready to plant. Turn up an area 2' larger in diameter than the rootball. If you have a bare root tree, the planting hole should be large enough to accommodate the roots without crowding or bending. If you have a seedling, the hole should be deeper than the root length.

Put the tree in the hole in the center of the planting area, deep enough to cover the roots.

If the rootball is covered, remove the covering.

Add soil around the tree until you have filled the hole.

Settle the soil with the water.

Add a layer of mulch 2-3 inches deep and 3 feet in diameter around the tree trunk, if possible. Do not place mulch up against the tree's trunk. Keep the mulch at least 6 inches from the base of the trunk.

TREE MAINTENANCE

Watering your tree properly throughout the first growing season is important.

Soak the soil once a week unless adequate rainfall occurs, but don't overwater.

Keep the area weed and grass free.

Prune only dead, broken and crossing or rubbing branches the first two growing seasons. Then prune as needed.

Observe your tree. Keep a record of its growth and animal visitors.

Replenish mulch often.