Tree Planting 101: Planting for a better tomorrow

What kind of tree can I plant here? When is the best time to plant? Does my new tree

need special care or watering?

These are questions we hear all the time, and as Arborists, we’re always happy to talk

about planting new trees. After all, we spend a lot of our time removing problem trees,

so, it’s refreshing to occasionally focus on planting the next generation.

Planting a tree can be an affordable way to add value, beauty, and curb appeal to your

property. But before you choose a tree, it’s important to think beyond how it looks today.

Since planting a new tree often follows the loss of one or more mature trees, consider

the why behind the tree you’re planting. Think 10, 20, or even 30 years into the future.

Choosing a tree based solely on how it looks when it’s young can create serious

problems down the road.

All too often, we’re called to prune trees that have simply outgrown their location or

become too large for the buildings around them. In some cases, this leads to aggressive pruning or even removal long before the tree would have naturally reached the end of its life.

When researching what to plant, take a close look at a tree’s expected mature size and

average annual growth rate under ideal conditions. Some tree species in Michigan can

grow several feet per year once they become established. That small tree you’re

planting today may look very different a decade from now.

Tree planting is about much more than digging a hole and putting a tree in it.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are five key takeaways from an

Arborist’s experience planting trees in a variety of real-world situations.

1. Put the right tree in the right spot

Ask your local Arborist for a consultation or speak with a professional at your local tree nursery. Understanding your site’s soil conditions, moisture levels, and available

sunlight is crucial to choosing a tree that will thrive. A soil test can also be helpful, as it can reveal potential issues with soil pH and other conditions.  Just as importantly, choose a species that is well-suited to your region and the space available.

The K&H crew planting trees for one of our valued customers this past Spring.

2. Consider existing soil conditions and recent construction

Soil can make all the difference while a young tree is becoming established. A tree’s root system depends heavily on the biological environment within the soil. Sandy, well-drained soils tend to allow roots to grow deeper and farther in search of moisture. Soils with higher clay content tend to hold more water near the surface, which can encourage shallower root growth. It’s also important to consider whether your soil has been compacted by heavy traffic, construction, or other activity. Compacted soil can make it difficult for roots to establish and access the water, oxygen, and nutrients they need.

3. Plant at the proper depth

We’ve seen it a thousand times: trees planted far too deep that eventually develop root problems, struggle to establish, or slowly decline. Planting too deeply is one of the most common mistakes made when planting trees, but it’s also one of the easiest to avoid. The root flare—the point where the trunk begins to spread into the major roots—should be visible and positioned at or slightly above the surrounding soil level. The soil around the tree should be graded relatively flat, or slope slightly away from the trunk.

4. Don’t underestimate watering

In Michigan, watering will almost always be necessary when establishing a new tree. We simply don’t receive enough consistent rainfall throughout the summer to guarantee that a young tree will have everything it needs. As a general rule of thumb, approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter per week can be used as a starting point during dry conditions. Keep in mind that actual watering needs will vary based on the tree species, soil, weather, and time of year.

5. Mulch and provide ongoing aftercare

A layer of natural or processed mulch can help retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and reduce competition from grass and weeds.

Ideally, mulch should extend several feet around the tree and, when space allows, toward the tree’s drip line. A few inches is generally sufficient. Just remember one important rule: keep mulch away from the trunk. Avoid creating a “mulch volcano” around the base of the tree.

A Weeping Cherry tree planted in 2020.

The First Five Years of a Tree’s Life

Once you’ve selected the right tree, found the right location, and planted it properly, the work isn’t quite over.

Depending on the tree and its location, staking or guying may be necessary while it

becomes established. This can be a relatively simple DIY project, although professional tree installation may include staking as part of the planting process or warranty requirements. Not every tree needs to be staked, so ask your Arborist before doing so.

A young Alaskan Weeping Cedar, planted in Spring of 2026.

Wildlife can also pose a challenge. Deer and other mammals may damage the trunk,

branches, or foliage of a young tree, so some form of protection may be necessary

depending on where you live.

After at least one growing season, once the tree has become established and is

showing healthy growth, it can be evaluated for structural pruning if needed.

When we structurally prune young trees, our goal isn’t simply to remove branches.

We’re helping guide the tree toward a strong, healthy structure that will serve it for

decades. We look for branches that cross or rub against one another, poor branch

attachments, competing leaders, and other structural problems.

We can also encourage desirable growth patterns by selectively removing or retaining

certain branches. Dead, damaged, or poorly positioned branches can be removed as

well.

This is also a good time to identify a central leader—the dominant vertical stem that will form the primary structure of most young trees.

Trees are a long-term investment. We don’t always think about the future when we plant them, but some of the trees we put in the ground today could still be standing decades from now.

That’s why planting with the future in mind matters.

Choose the right tree. Give it the right start. Then provide a little maintenance along the way. A small investment of time and care during the first few years can go a long way toward creating a healthy, attractive tree that will benefit your property—and the people who enjoy it—for generations.