This Treecember, we are giving back by planting trees in communities that need it the most. Gift trees today!
This Treecember, we are giving back by planting trees in communities that need it the most. Gift trees today!
Stay up to date on major announcements, exciting collaborations, and more. Visit our Newsroom
We make it simple for anyone to plant trees, and together we can make an incredible impact. Learn more
Stay up to date on major announcements, exciting collaborations, and more. Visit our Newsroom
We make it simple for anyone to plant trees, and together we can make an incredible impact. Learn more
Become a business partner to improve your company’s sustainability initiatives and make an impact. Learn more
See how your support and leadership can help us fund reforestation efforts across the globe. Learn more
Become a business partner to improve your company’s sustainability initiatives and make an impact. Learn more
See how your support and leadership can help us fund reforestation efforts across the globe. Learn more
Read about stories from the field, interesting facts about trees and get your healthy dose of nature. Visit our blog
Comprised of lesson plans, learning modules, resources, and activities, our T.R.E.E.S. School Program is the perfect addition to your curriculum. Learn more
Read about stories from the field, interesting facts about trees and get your healthy dose of nature. Visit our blog
Comprised of lesson plans, learning modules, resources, and activities, our T.R.E.E.S. School Program is the perfect addition to your curriculum. Learn more
Our fan-favorite Reforestation T-Shirt. Wear it with pride to show your support of reforesting our planet, one tree at a time. Shop now
Give the gift that lasts a lifetime! Choose an image, write your personalized message and select a delivery date to gift a tree. Gift a tree
Our fan-favorite Reforestation T-Shirt. Wear it with pride to show your support of reforesting our planet, one tree at a time. Shop now
Give the gift that lasts a lifetime! Choose an image, write your personalized message and select a delivery date to gift a tree. Gift a tree
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.
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."
- Chinese Proverb
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.
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.
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.
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:
Tip: Choose a place that is shielded from the wind.
If your planting site is exposed to the wind, use nearby objects (like a rock or stick) to create a windbreak. Plant on the north side of the windbreak for shade and wind protection. And remember: the cooler and shadier, the better, so if you’re on a hill side, make sure that you’re planting on the north slope. That way, the sapling won't get too much sun.
Tip: Gently loosen the soil to help the roots spread out.
Make sure that your seedling isn't root bound. If it is, you may need to cut an X through the bottom of the root ball to break it up, but if it isn’t too bad, simply use your hand to gently break up the pattern. Exercise caution, because if you’re too rough with the roots, you will increase the risk of the tree going into transplant shock.
Tip: Make sure that it's centered and upright.
Think of this step as placing the seedling in a “bowl” that will be filled with water. Taking a little extra care during this step will help ensure that the roots get enough water to do their job. Once it's placed, backfill with the removed soil and compress in layers until the roots are entirely covered, but the trunk flare remains partially aboveground.
Tip: Create a funnel that will allow water to drain towards the tree.
Now is also the best time to do a tug test: lightly tug the tree to check that the soil is sufficiently compacted — if you can pull it right out, it’s not secure enough! And if you’re planting on a north-facing slope, consider fortifying the downhill side with whatever's handy (like rocks and sticks) to help stabilize the newly disturbed soil.
Tip: Make a ring of mulch around the tree but avoid letting it touch the bark.
Be sure to leave a baseball-sized perimeter around the stem, because mulch retains moisture and can lead to rot with prolonged contact. When carefully placed, mulch shields the soil from heavy precipitation and sun, which helps prevent water from evaporating off of the soil surface before the tree gets a chance to drink.
Tip: 1 gallon of water once a week should be sufficient for most seedlings.
Watering will help your new tree respond to the stress of being transplanted, and encourage its roots to grow and spread. If you want to get really fancy, you can set up a drip irrigation system that will slowly feed water to the roots over time. This will really give things a boost!
Now that you have planted your tree, here are a few other ways to ensure that it can thrive in its new home!
Research your environment:Read up on your local climate, gardening zone, soil type, and the best native species to plant. Or just talk with nursery staff, who are generally happy to share their knowledge!
Plant during fall or spring (as far away from the heat of the summer as you can):Ideally, trees should be planted during the dormant season. In the fall, this is after leaf drop, and in early spring, it’s before bud break. This allows tender saplings to establish roots before things really heat up and conditions encourage intense foliage growth.
Don’t amend the soil unless absolutely necessary:In some cases, it is, but researchers have found that adding too much compost to the soil can prevent the roots from spreading. The long-term affects of this include a smaller root system, reduced growth, and a less hardy plant.
Consider setting up an irrigation system:At least, at first. Deep, slow watering allows the soil to slowly saturate, reducing runoff and giving the roots plenty of time to drink their fill.
If fertilizer is necessary, hold off until the tree has had a chance to establish itself:At this beginning stage, all of the tree’s energy should be concentrated on root development to build a solid foundation for long-term growth and survival. When you’re ready to fertilize, use a slow-release, non-burning organic fertilizer to help prevent shock.
Proper follow-up care is just as important as proper planting:Keep a close eye on things, particularly monitoring for any outward signs of distress, and making any necessary adjustments. Water trees at least once a week (unless it rains), and more often during hot or windy weather. But don’t over-water either: the soil should be moist but not water-logged.
So there you have it! With our tree planting tips, you should be able to confidently plant a tree at home, and we highly recommend it. It's a great feeling! Still want to leave the planting to us?That's fine, too!
Meaghan works to share our story far and wide, manages our blog calendar, coordinates with the team on projects + campaigns, and ensures our brand voice is reflected across channels. With a background in communications and an education in environmental conservation, she is passionate about leveraging her creativity to help the environment!
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