Tree Planting

[Hoover]

I went a little crazy yesterday and bought a much of good sized trees for my house. We built it in 2010 but have yet to landscape, so I have a blank canvas.

Anyway, I bought 15 trees or so and need to get them in the ground.

Any advice in how the best way to do this is. I'm not going to use a shovel and do it by hand. What do i need to rent or how expensive is it to have it done?

Thanks.

[Hoover]

Yeah I was going to use a little poop to help them get a start. Some old guy told me to put a little sand in the hole since its late in the year, will help with watering them.

The biggest trees are the Columnar English Oaks in terms of bulk. Including the root ball they are probably 13-15' tall. 5" diameter trunk.

The maples are about three inch in diameter but very in height.

I have three Autumn Fantasy that don't have very large heads on them yet. Same goes with the Pacific Sunset. The Armstong maple is pretty tall but not huge.

[Iowanian]

Trees that tall you should probably stake down some braces on 3 sides to hold them straight until the roots take.


you can rent a mini-hoe(not a midget hooker) at plenty of places in your area by the day or half day usually.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Hoover

Yeah I was going to use a little poop to help them get a start. Some old guy told me to put a little sand in the hole since its late in the year, will help with watering them.

The biggest trees are the Columnar English Oaks in terms of bulk. Including the root ball they are probably 13-15' tall. 5" diameter trunk.

The maples are about three inch in diameter but very in height.

I have three Autumn Fantasy that don't have very large heads on them yet. Same goes with the Pacific Sunset. The Armstong maple is pretty tall but not huge.

Make goddamn sure the poop has been composted or like Iowanian has said you will have dead trees.

Sand needs to be in the top half only. You need to get water TO the roots. If you put it at the bottom it will take it away.

If you're worried about water infiltration, I'd definitely overdig the hole and mix soil and compost.

[salame]

[penguinz]

[scho63]

Originally Posted by Hoover

I have some trees that are 3 inches in diameter, some 2 inch, and a couple big boys that are 5-6 inch.

All are root balls wrapped in burlap.

Had a nursery auction right by my house yesterday.

By the size of them, it sounds to me like you bought weeds not trees!

These should work.....

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by scho63

By the size of them, it sounds to me like you bought weeds not trees!

These should work.....

15' weeds? What kind of jungle do you live in.

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by Hoover

I have some trees that are 3 inches in diameter, some 2 inch, and a couple big boys that are 5-6 inch.

All are root balls wrapped in burlap.

Had a nursery auction right by my house yesterday.

I bought a saw tooth oak last weekend that was a biggun, probably 8-9 inches and 7-8 feet tall. I dug and planted it by hand. Had to go 29 inches down, and 56 inches wide, needless to say, my arms are still a little sore. Oh, and those things are heavier than a mother f'er, he loaded it onto the truck and I saw the bed just squat down, and I was like "oh boy". I ended up digging the hole out and piled a bunch of dirt up to the tailgate, rolled the tree down the dirt mound into the hole, it went perfect.

15 trees? Hire someone to do it, I don't think I could have done another for at least a couple days.

[mike_b_284]

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide...057716,00.html

These guys know whats up.

[mike_b_284]

Another tip, tree staking is usually not necessary. If you do go that route be sure to remove the stakes no later than 6 months.

[Friendo]

the auger will work but I'd check around to see if a nursery or landscaper has one o these:
http://www.optimaltreespades.com/

I had several 3 inch or more caliper trees moved this way & it is the s***!