It’s incredibly satisfying to plant a tree but it’s important to do it correctly to get your tree off to the best start and help it thrive. Our easy-to-follow guide on how to plant a tree will show you the way.

Protective attire

When planting trees, it’s important to wear appropriate footwear as you’re going to get muddy and something with a strong heel is recommended. Wearing gloves is also recommended as you’ll be working with edged tools and be among branches and brambles.

Things you’ll need to plant a tree

For successful planting, make sure you have all the equipment you need. You’ll need:

- Tree sapling

- Spade

- Spiral tree guard

- Bamboo cane

Get the planting area ready

Before you start planting, make sure you’ve planned where your trees will go and you’ve prepared the area in readiness.

Pull up any weeds
Strim or mow the grass so it’s not overgrown
Mark out where you’ll be planting each tree

Spacing out your trees

Plant trees about 2 metres apart

If you have the space and have a strategic plan you can plant them further apart (2-5 metres)
If you’re planting hedgerow, space trees 30cm apart

Tree planting methods:

Slit method

Step 1: Push your spade all the way into the ground, then push it forwards and backwards using the handle to create a ‘slit’ in the ground. Continue doing this until the slit is deep enough for the tree roots.

Step 2: Keep the slit open and place your tree inside, making sure all the tree roots are deep and below ground level.

Step 3: Use the heel of your shoe to push the soil back around the tree so it’s nice and firm and all the air gaps are covered (to prevent any frost getting in).

Step 4: Push the cane alongside the tree, but not too close that it pushes through the roots.

Step 5: Take your spiral tree guard and wrap it around both the tree and the cane and push it down 1cm into the ground so it’s secure.

Hole digging method

This method is similar to the slit method in other aspects but requires digging a hole to plant your tree. This method is mainly used for more established tree saplings with bigger roots and larger trees that have grown in pots.

Step 1: Dig a hole deep enough to fit the tree’s roots. Keep the soil you dig up close by as you’ll need that again to fill in the hole.

Step 2: Take your tree and plant it into the hole.

Step 3: Use the soil to refill the hole and firm it up the around the tree so it’s tight and secure in the ground.

Step 4: Push the cane alongside the tree to support it, but not too close that it pushes through the roots. (Use cane for tree saplings, larger trees may require a larger wooden support pole).

Step 5: Take your spiral tree guard and wrap it around both the tree and the cane and push it down 1cm into the ground so it’s secure. (There’s no need for a tree guard if the tree is fully established)

After care

Once your trees are in the ground it’s important to care for them to help them thrive, particularly in the first few years of their growth.

Weeding

Weeding is an important part of looking after your trees in their early years. Keeping the area around the tree clear of weeds will reduce competition for moisture and nutrients. Adding mulch to the area around the trees, such as bark chippings will help supress the weeds.

Keep an eye on the canes and tree guards

Make sure you regularly check the canes are upright and firmly pushed into the ground and the tree guards haven’t been damaged by pests.

How to plant a tree