The following article should hopefully provide you with the basic knowledge to successfully plant a tree and achieve a high livability rate.
When you are ready to plant, dig a hole the depth of the root ball and half again as wide as the container. The soil you take out of the hole should be mixed with no more than 1/3 pine bark mulch and use that mixture to refill the hole when planting the tree. It is important that you use at least 2/3 of the native soil when back filling the hole. If you have a considerable amount of clay in the soil, the water will percolate slowly. The mulch will allow just enough water to penetrate into the root zone. (If you used only soft soil through which the water could penetrate quickly, you would end up with a bathtub effect where the water would stand in the hole and drown the roots.) The tree should be planted with the root ball at the existing soil level or slightly above and use the remaining soil mix to top dress over the root ball. Adding several inches of mulch over the top of the root ball will be beneficial in retaining moisture in the soil and protecting the root system from drying out too fast. The use of root stimulator is recommended to encourage new root development through the winter months. Just follow the directions on the bottle.
Staking the tree should not be necessary unless you encounter enough wind on a regular basis to cause the tree to blow over in the hole. If this happens, the new roots can be broken and delay the establishment of a good root system. If the tree is staked, there are staking kits available at the home improvement chain stores. The stakes can normally be removed in the late spring once new top growth has commenced.
The tree should be watered in well after it is initially planted and then enough water should be applied to keep the soil moist. A good way to know when it's time to water is scratch the soil around the tree with your finger. If the top 2"of soil is dry, it is time to water.
I hope these suggestions will be helpful in achieving a healthy transplanted tree in your landscape and initiate vigorous new growth in the spring.
Mike Engleman, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
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