Download Printable Planting Instructions (PDF)
Bare Root Tree and Shrub Planting Instructions
You don’t need a green thumb to plant a tree or shrub. A shovel, water and a little care are all you need to get started.
1. Keep the roots moist
Plant as soon as possible after arrival. Until then, keep trees cool and shaded but above freezing, with roots covered in damp packing material. Protect roots from sun and wind, even while planting. If planting is delayed more than a few days, contact us for storage help.
2. Give the roots a drink
Remove bags and ties, gently separate the trees, and soak just the roots in plain water for 3–6 hours before planting. Plant afterward; don’t leave trees sitting in a bucket for days.
3. Dig a roomy hole
Choose a spot that suits your tree’s sunlight, soil and mature size. Clear away grass and weeds. Dig wide enough for roots to spread naturally and deep enough that they won’t bend upward. Make the hole fit the roots.
4. Set the tree at the right depth
Find where the trunk begins to widen and the first main roots branch out. Keep that point at ground level, with roots covered and the trunk above the soil. Spread roots gently outward and down. On grafted trees, keep the graft bump above ground.
5. Fill in and water well
Use the soil you dug out to fill around the roots. Gently firm it, then water slowly to settle the soil and wet the whole root area. Add soil if it settles, keeping the same planting depth.
No fertilizer, manure or fertilizer spikes the first year.
6. Mulch and keep checking
Spread 2–3 inches of wood-chip mulch around the tree, leaving a few inches clear around the trunk. Keep grass and weeds back, and protect young trees from deer, rabbits, mowers and trimmers.
When to water
Check the soil a few inches down every day at first. If it is starting to dry, water slowly through the root area. If it is still moist, wait and check again. Aim for damp, not soggy. Keep checking through the first growing season and during later dry spells.
Give it time
Dormant deciduous trees may arrive without leaves. New growth takes time, and deciduous fall-planted trees will leaf out in spring.
Planting guidance based on resources from the following websites: Arbor Day Foundation, University of Minnesota Extension, and Iowa State University Extension.