Tree Planting and Care Advice

Whenever possible, please handle your tree by the rootball rather than the stems. The bark can be soft and easily damaged, especially when you are moving trees around. Never tie anything to the stems to lift or move the tree, always move it by the rootball.

If we’ve supplied you with a rootballed tree, please leave the wire and hessian in place when you plant it. It’s vital you leave these in place as they keep the roots intact and will naturally biodegrade over time. Please untie any string from the canopy before planting as it can be tricky to reach once the tree is in situ.

When planting our rootball trees, it’s imperative to retain the wire and hessian. These materials, deliberately wrapped for root protection, will naturally decompose. Premature removal risks rootball breakage and fine root loss, jeopardizing the tree’s survival.

Handle the tree by the rootball, steering clear of the stem to prevent any damage during planting.

Carefully place the rootball into the prepared hole, ensuring it doesn’t sit too deep. The breathing roots, located just beneath the surface, must remain close to ground level. If the tree is planted too deeply, these essential roots won’t get the air they need, which can lead to suffocation and even death.

Your vigilant adherence to these details ensures the optimal conditions for the tree’s growth and long-term health. Please do not remove the wire or hessian.

After backfilling the hole with soil, make a small dam wall (sump) around the edge of the rootball. See more info on this below.

Watering is often overlooked, but it is the most important factor in helping a newly planted tree establish and thrive.

For the first two years, we recommend you ensure the rootball doesn’t completely dry out, but balance this with not watering it too much. This approach encourages the roots to grow outwards in search of their own moisture which is vital for promoting a resilient root system.

Its important to note that your tree roots will not reach outside the rootball for at least the first year, so you must make sure the water is applied withing the rootball diameter (hence our tip for your watering sump).

As soon as your tree is planted, fill the water sump to the top. This deep soak helps settle the soil, fill in any air pockets, and ensures moisture reaches the roots. After this initial watering, we recommend waiting until the leaves emerge before watering again (springtime), however evergreen trees may need some water during dry spells in Winter.

When the warmer, drier months arrive (May to September), begin a regular watering routine. Depending on the size of your tree, give it 1–2 buckets of water three times a week to keep the rootball consistently hydrated. It is crucial to keep this consistent throughout the tree’s first summer even if it rains. And its crucial to make sure the water is applied as close to the base of the tree as possible.

As the tree becomes established, you can gradually reduce how often you water. In its second summer only water during a very dry spell, and by the third summer there should be no need to provide extra water.

While trees can survive short spells of drought, prolonged periods can make them susceptible to insects and diseases.  Signs of stress are yellowing of the leaves and wilting of the soft new growth and spotting these signs early is vital to prevent deformed growth, and even death.