Choose at least a five to six-foot tree grown to nursery standards.
Select a site with enough room for roots and branches to reach full size.Avoid overhead and underground utilities.
Prepare a planting area as deep as the root ball and three to five times its diameter by loosening the soil.Dig a hole in the middle of the area.In heavy clay soil,plant 2-3 inches above the base of the trunk flare (where the roots meet the main stem) rather than at or below the original growing level.If the soil is very sandy,then plant at grade so that the soil at the top of the root ball doesn't erode or dry out.Overall,plant the root ball so that once some settling of the soil occurs,the trunk FLARE is at grade level.
Use water to settle soil and remove air pockets in planting area.
Stake the tree to flex with the wind only if tree is unable to stand up to wind.
Spread a two to three inch layer of mulch on entire area,but not within six inches of tree trunk.
Don't forget,American Forests can plant trees for you as part of our Global ReLeaf program.Each tree is planted in restoration projects taking place in the U.S.and around the world..