Remember the old advice about digging a hole as wide ass the root ball and half again as deep? Forget it! Dig no deeper than the height of the root ball. Dig the hole at least twice as wide; wider is better, especially for trees and shrubs. If the soil has been prepared no additives are needed.

After digging the hole, remove the plant from its pots and examine the roots; any that are visible should be gently pulled apart with your fingers. More substantial roots that encircle the pot can be cut with an old knife, trowel or spade. Then set it in place and after making sure it is facing the right direction and is plumb. Fill the hole with soil level with the top of the root ball, but not covering it. Press the soil firmly with your hands, and add more if needed to be level with the top of the root ball. It’s important not to plant too deeply. Make sure that the root flair or crown is at the same level as the existing grade. Water well.

Balled and burlaped plants are installed the same way, except that any twine should be cut off after the plant is set in the hole, and the burlaped on the upper part of the root ball loosened and gently cut away with a utility knife. Wire baskets should not be removed, as they help keep the root ball intact. Plastic burlap needs to be cut off completely because it does not decompose.

Most newly planted trees will do better without staking. Young trees standing alone with their tops free to move will develop stronger, more resilient trunks and roots than those staked for several years. Trunk movement is required to develop strong, tapered trunks and roots. If however, a tree is unstable in a strong wind or is pushed over, then staking is required. A common problem with staking trees is the girdling effect that the ties can have on the tree. Soft nylon webbing or carpet strips attached by grommets to a stake can reduce this damage. Often wire is too tight around the trunk and will effectively girdle and kill the tree. Whatever material is used, be sure to allow for some movement and remove the stakes and ties once the tree is established – usually after one year.