Education

Tree Planting/Care

By Steve Nix, About.com Guide

Nurseries provide 1.5 billion trees for planting in the United States annually. This represents over six trees propagated for every U.S. citizen each year. Planting a tree can have tremendous influences on communities. Trees improve our environment, adds to our incomes and decreases energy costs. Planting and caring for a tree will enrich the quality of our life and, scientists says, improve our health. I can't think of many things that touch us so completely as supporting a single tree or entire forest.

Tree Care and Protection
Picking and Preparing a New Tree for Planting
How to Plant a Tree
Maintain a New Tree

Tree Care and Protection

Tree care and forest management use techniques that have been much advanced using the methods developed by the sciences of silviculture and arboriculture. Learn more about how to care for your tree using all the proper methods.

Picking and Preparing a New Tree for Planting

I would like for you to take my tree planting quiz before planting your first tree. It will give you a great start on what you know and keep you in focus as you plant that first tree. I also suggest great tree species for just the right spot.

How to Plant a Tree

There are two categories that define tree planting - horticultural and wildland planting. Horticultural tree planting is geared toward urban situations where landscaping is of primary concern. Generally speaking, because these trees contain an intact root ball, they can be planted in any season. Wildland planting, the preferred method for reforestation, is done over a much broader area. Even though this type of planting is cheaper on a per tree basis, it can be very expensive in total and should be done correctly.

Maintain a New Tree

Planting the tree is just a beginning. You must follow through for at least a year of diligence dealing with weed competition, using mulch, providing adequate moisture, protection from insects and diseases. The first year is critical but you need to consider your tree's life-long health.

Forestry