Planting Balled Saplings

By Steve Nix, About.com Guide

Important: Saplings should not be soaked prior to planting. In most cases you do not need to remove the burlap (remove strings/strapping) but you do need to clip roots circling the outside of the root ball and/or on bottom. Never fertilize in planting hole!

• Dig a hole 2 to 5 times wider than the root ball. In the bottom and center of the hole, leave a planting base of undisturbed soil.
• Put the root ball on undisturbed soil flush to 2" over the top of the hole.
• Hold tree while backfilling with dirt and soil minus large clods.
• Remove grass and weeds within 6 inches of tree bole.
• With excess soil, build small berm around hole to saucer water toward roots.
• Water and mulch.

Always mulch but not excessively. Over mulching can be repellent to water.