How to Plant a Tree: A Step by Step Guide

Here's How to Plant a Tree Step by Step

If you're wondering how to help the environment close to home, planting a tree is a great place to start! Even if you plant just one, it will benefit the environment for years to come. That's because trees help clean the air, filter water, offset carbon, create shade, give birds a place to build a nest, enrich the soil, and provide food and shelter for small creatures. And that's just the shortlist of the many benefits of trees. 

Tree planting is one of the best ways to help the environment. Here's how to do it right. Follow along as we walk you through planting a Black Walnut tree, step by step!

There are a few things to think about before you plant trees. When, where, and how you plant your tree will affect its survival. Below are some important things to consider before you get your hands in the dirt.

When is the best time to plant a tree?

The best times to plant a tree are usually during the spring and fall, when weather conditions are moist and cool. Choose a location where your tree will thrive and that you're close to so that you can watch it grow for many years to come.

How to choose which tree species to plant

You can visit your local tree nursery or garden center to find the best species of tree to plant. Nursery staff are usually knowledgeable about this and can answer many of your questions specific to your region. But some basic considerations that you should think about include: your property or planting site's microclimate, amount of sunlight, soil type and chemistry, drainage, and hardiness zone. 

How to choose where to plant

You've chosen a native tree species and now you just need to choose a planting site! Careful planning at this stage will help to ensure that your young sapling can grow into a healthy, mature tree that reaches its full potential and benefits the surrounding environment. There are a few key things to consider here. These include: 

• How much space does your tree require to grow? How large will the canopy grow (crown spread), and how deep and far will the roots spread? Keep in mind that a tree's roots can spread much wider than its canopy aboveground.
• Considering the standard growth structure of your chosen species will help inform how far you should plan to plant away from structures, foundations, driveways or sidewalks, underground plumbing, power lines, and any other built or natural features of the property. A good rule of thumb here is that trees usually need more space than you'd think! 
• As above, so below. To be on the safe side, call your utility company so that they can mark any underground lines that may be running through your property. This will help you avoid future headaches associated with damaging utility lines. 
• Another often overlooked but important consideration is: what happens in your yard during different seasons throughout the year? And are you okay with the tree dropping leaves, needles, seeds, cones, fruit, nuts, or sap? 
• And finally: what are your plans for the future? Whenever you plant a tree, the hope is that it will be able to live out its lifespan. To help ensure that, it's worth thinking about whether you'll want to build a garage, shed, play area or other structure in the future — and plan around that.