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Tree Planting Checklist

4.7/5 with 88 votes
Table of Contents

Introduction

Trees are a great addition to any landscape. They provide shade, year-round interest in your garden, food and shelter for animals, and can even increase the value of your home. Before planting a tree in your yard, it’s important to take a few things into consideration. This Tree Planting Checklist will take you from the planning stages to the planting of your new tree and beyond.
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Toggle Before planting a new tree status

Before planting a new tree

Toggle Decide where you want to plant your tree. status

Decide where you want to plant your tree.

Be sure it has enough room to reach its full potential and where it will not interfere with other plantings or power lines.
Toggle Research your options. status

Research your options.

Consider whether a tree will grow well in your climate, whether it will block your view, and whether it will require more care than you can provide.
Toggle Be sure it’s safe to dig. status

Be sure it’s safe to dig.

Ask your local municipality if your chosen spot interferes with water, sewer, or power lines.
Toggle Wait for the right season. status

Wait for the right season.

The best time to plant a tree is when the ground has thawed, but the trees are still dormant. Of course, this only applies to cooler, four-season climates. In warm climates, winter is a great time to plant.
Toggle Planting day status

Planting day

Toggle Dig a hole. status

Dig a hole.

A hole that is twice as deep and wide as your tree’s root ball will give it plenty of room to grow.
Toggle Loosely add some of the dirt you just took out. status

Loosely add some of the dirt you just took out.

Do not pack it down; it should be light and fluffy.
Toggle Remove the tree from the pot and unwrap all protective coverings from the root ball. status

Remove the tree from the pot and unwrap all protective coverings from the root ball.

Toggle Place your tree’s roots into the hole. status

Place your tree’s roots into the hole.

Be sure that the ground is at the same level on your tree's trunk as it was in the planting container. If you need to add or remove dirt from the bottom of the hole, do it now.
Toggle Fill your planting hole loosely with dirt. status

Fill your planting hole loosely with dirt.

Do not add fertilizer, compost, or any other amendments. Fertilizing at this stage will encourage your tree’s root to grow inward instead of spreading out.
Toggle Water your tree with plenty of water. status

Water your tree with plenty of water.

Toggle Pack down the dirt in your planting hole. status

Pack down the dirt in your planting hole.

There should be a slight depression where the hole used to be. This will help your tree collect water and channel it to the roots.
Toggle Mulch your tree with wood chips. status

Mulch your tree with wood chips.

Cover your planting hole with a 3-inch layer of mulch. Make sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from your tree’s trunk.
Toggle Stake your tree. status

Stake your tree.

It is wise to stake your tree for the first year to keep it growing straight. Use a wooden stake or a piece of rebar and pound it into the ground about a foot from your new tree. Use a broad, flexible material to tie your tree to the stake. A thick band or strong elastic will work well.
Toggle After planting status

After planting

Toggle Water your tree at least once a week. status

Water your tree at least once a week.

Toggle Keep weeds and grass from growing in your tree’s mulched area. status

Keep weeds and grass from growing in your tree’s mulched area.

Toggle Remove the stake after the first growing season. status

Remove the stake after the first growing season.

Toggle Keep your tree properly pruned. status

Keep your tree properly pruned.

Every tree has different pruning requirements, but there is a lot of information available online.
Toggle Fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer during the second spring. status

Fertilize with a well-balanced fertilizer during the second spring.

Toggle Inspect your tree for signs of pests or diseases every couple of months, especially during the summer. status

Inspect your tree for signs of pests or diseases every couple of months, especially during the summer.

Toggle Enjoy the beauty and shade your tree provides your family and your neighborhood. status

Enjoy the beauty and shade your tree provides your family and your neighborhood.

Download or Print this Tree Planting Checklist

Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.

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Presented by:

Tara Schatz

Tara Schatz
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Details

 Tree Planting Checklist Tips

  • If you live in the United States, consider consulting your community’s Master Gardener program for advice on what to plant where.
  • Arbor Day is a national day to celebrate trees in the United States. It is always the last Friday in April, and a good day to plant trees in most parts of the country.
  • Celebrating a special event? Trees make great gifts, and planting a tree to celebrate a new life, birthday, or other accomplishment will provide you with years of memories.

Who it's for

This Tree Planting Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.

  • Avoid forgetting - keep all your Tree Planting essentials in one place (external memory)
  • Save time - start from a proven Tree Planting structure instead of a blank page
  • Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
  • Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
  • Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time

How to use it

How to use this Tree Planting Checklist

  • Save Tree Planting Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
  • Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Tree Planting (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
  • If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
  • Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.

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