IMPROPER TREE PLANTING
We get called out each season to assess struggling newly planted trees or trees that have died prematurely. While some new trees are affected by certain insects or disease problems, the majority of struggling new tree installations are due to improper planting when they were put in the ground. Sometimes being aware of INCORRECT tree planting methods is as important to tree health as knowing how to plant a tree correctly.
Below are pictures of improper planting techniques that we have seen recently:
TWINE LEFT AROUND THE ROOTBALL AFTER PLANTING. When a ball and burlap tree is planted, the string around the rootball MUST be cut to avoid girdling the trunk of the tree and restricting the flow of nutrient and water back and forth from the root system to the canopy.
Newly planted tree with many cords of twine girdling from the root ball girdling the trunk
PLANTING A TREE TOO DEEPLY. This tree was installed way too deep when it was planted. Planting a tree too deeply will cause the trunk of the tree to rot due to excessive moisture as well as causing the root system to be depleted of adequate oxygen levels.
This tree is planted about 6" too deep. The top of the root ball (at the bottom of the excavated hole) should be just above the grade of the original soil level (noted by the blade of the chisel in this picture).
LEAVING GUY WIRES ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK. Staking and guy wires are an important step when installing new trees because it gives the tree needed support to keep it from falling over in a strong wind until the root system has time to expand into the surrounding soil and stabilize the entire tree. But if left on the tree too long, the wires will cut into the expanding tree trunk - girdling the tree and restricting the flow cycle of nutrients and water from the root system to the canopy
The guy wires on a tree should be removed or relocated after the first year of installation.