Help on tree planting

[FUDGEY]

I hope someone can answer my questions (probably daft ones) I have purchased 2 yellow berried Rowans and they are getting delivered today. I have just began digging holes for them, but 6 inches under the surface its got quite stoney and really difficult to make head way. Question 1. Whats the best tool to loosen the stones? A pick???? 2. The trees are 9ft tall so roughly how much of an area across will I need to dig and how deep? Sorry if these seem basic questions to yous, but I have no idea when it comes to these things. Many thanks in advance.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

I hope someone can answer my questions (probably daft ones) I have purchased 2 yellow berried Rowans and they are getting delivered today. I have just began digging holes for them, but 6 inches under the surface its got quite stoney and really difficult to make head way. Question 1. Whats the best tool to loosen the stones? A pick???? 2. The trees are 9ft tall so roughly how much of an area across will I need to dig and how deep? Sorry if these seem basic questions to yous, but I have no idea when it comes to these things. Many thanks in advance.

If the stones are merely a hard packed layer - pre garden surface or construction level - then you may find you can break this up with a garden fork before digging out with a spade. If it is a very solid layer, or you are actually getting into bedrock, then a straight crow bar - sometimes called a demolition bar, is the most effective tool. Bending down into a hole to use a pick is a great way to screw your back !

As far as how to plant, this is easier to illustrate than describe - have a look at this Tree Planting - How to Plant a Tree . Actual hole dimensions will depend on the size of root ball - but note that width, rather than depth is the more relevant cultivation consideration. With 9ft trees you should also think about staking.

Hope this helps.

CM

[Dorts]

Hi Fudgey.
Idealy dig out as many stones as possible to a depth of about 2ft. or so and about six inches in diameter larger than the roots.
Fill the hole with some good compost or well rotted manure to a depth that will
allow the tree to be at the same depth as before.

You haven't said if they are in pots or bare-rooted?
If in pots, try to open the root-ball a little by gently removing some of the outer soil and releasing some of the roots; how easy this will be will depend on how long the trees have been in their pots.
If bare-rooted make sure when planting to get plenty of soil among the roots.
Either way plant to the same depth that the plant was previously in the pot/ground.
Give the soil a good push all round with your heel after back-filling.

It is a goog idea to knock the stake in the ground befor you back-fill so that you dont damage any roots. You can use a single stake if you can get it in fairly close to the trunk, or two stakes, one either side of the tree with a bar between if you can't. Make sure the stake/s are well in the ground but not more than a meter high. A 'lower' stake helps promote healthy root growth.
Dorts.

[nightshade]

As above but mix your own soil in with the compost. I use a BIG bar and Contractors Mattock (best garden tool I have ever bought)
PS and a handfull of Bonemeal

[CharlieCreek]

When staking any tree I would suggest using two stakes one on either side and using hessian to hold the tree. The rubber type ties do cause damage.

The hessian will hold the tree firm, will expand as the tree grows and will eventually naturally decay away.

Hard to try to type to explain but here goes...

Fix the hessian 'strap' to the one steak first, then loop it around the trunk pulling the tension back towards the first steak it is fixed to and around the steak creating a figure of eight. Then do the same again now going from the first steak, around the tree and to the second steak tensioning in the direction of the second steak. Bring the strap back to the first steak doing several under and overs (e.g. wrapping it around) on the hessian section on the first steak side and fix back to the first stake.

As previously said keep the stakes low, as this promotes root growth and trunk girth growth as the trunk need sway to encourage this.

As said previously a straight heavy bar is the tool for the job getting through rough ground.

[ForestPaul]

Originally Posted by Dorts

Fill the hole with some good compost or well rotted manure to a depth that will allow the tree to be at the same depth as before.

I always understood that this was bad practice - the compost will compact or drain away leaving a gap that will fill up with water and leave the roots unstable. Backfill with the spoil from the hole then add the manure on top as a mulch. Some of the spoil should be added below the roots as well, to give it something to grow into.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by ForestPaul

I always understood that this was bad practice - the compost will compact or drain away leaving a gap that will fill up with water and leave the roots unstable. Backfill with the spoil from the hole then add the manure on top as a mulch. Some of the spoil should be added below the roots as well, to give it something to grow into.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I meant fill the bottom of the hole with soil and compost, then back-fill around the tree with good garden soil.
As long as all of the soil is well compacted everything will be fine.
In my time I have planted literally thousands of tree and shrubs this way without any problems.
Dorts.

[FUDGEY]

Great response folks thanks so much. I cancelled the delivery until Tuesday to give me time to get everything sorted. The trees are bare rooted, sorry I didnt say that initially. Couple of things I need clearing up here, the holes have now been dug (eventually) but I have been given some conflicting advice regarding hole size. On the great link it said dig the hole a lot bigger than root size (up to two thirds I think) and a different post said just 3 inches bigger than root size. Which one is right? I hope its the latter as digging it that much bigger would kill me Secondly just to check Ive got it right. Firstly I place tree in hole, then I put the two stakes in as Ive been advised (great tip that thanks) then I fill in with a soil/compost mix and finally fill in the last bit with straight soil. Can I be a pest and ask what mix is the soil/compost? 50/50? and how far up do I fill until I go with 100% soil? Sorry if these are silly questions to yous on here, but as I said Im pretty clueless in this field. Once again thanks a million for the help so far. One last thing, would it be be better if I bought soil instead of using the stuff I dug out as it looks a bit clayish ( if thats a word) Thanks folks

[Dorts]

Fudgey, dig the hole about 6" bigger than the roots all round, thats plenty big enough. Mix 50/50 soil and compost into the bottom of the hole (with a bit of bone meal if you have some), and back-fill with good garden soil, you can mulch with any left-over compost after planting.

Sometimes on a bare-rooted tree you will have some damaged or broken roots. It's quite a good idea to cut such damage away with a good clean cut.
Also you may have one large, thick root sticking out on one side which could require a bigger hole than necessary. If this is the case, cut such a root back to make planting easier, it's the small fiberous roots that the tree most needs at this stage.
Dorts.

[FUDGEY]

Thats just brilliant Dorts, thanks so much.