About Tree Planting • Tree Planting FAQ • 10 Commandments • Planting Balled Saplings

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Illustrations Courtesy of University of Missouri

1. Hold bar vertically and drive blade full length into soil.

2. Pull handle toward you 4 or 5 inches then thrust in the opposite direction.

3. Open a roomy hole, vertically place seedling with roots up to root collar.

4. Drive blade in soil again 3 inches behind seedling and close bottom and top. 

5. Remove bar and tamp with "heel" to close second hole.
   

1. Drive hoe, mattock or pulaski into soil full length of blade.

2. Place foot beside blade and lift handle.

3. Draw handle backward slightly, place seedling in without removing hoe.

4. Remove hoe and allow soil to fall back in place. 

5. Tamp seedling firmly in with foot heel.

Planting Using a Hoe or Shovel

1. Dig hole large enough to hold the root's full length.

2. Spread seedling roots outward and downward keeping root collar at grade.

3. Backfill dirt and tamp around roots.

4. Water (if available) and mulch.