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1) Choose your site carefully.
Lots of people are going to be looking at your tree for many years to come, so you should put some thought into the choice you make.

Put a stake or shovel into the ground where you think you'd like to plant your new tree, then look out the windows of your house. Are your views nicely framed? Can you still see nicely landscaped areas that you want to continue to see? Can you imagine what the views will look like as the tree grows? How does the placement look from the sidewalk and street? How will the tree affect the walking paths, patios and play areas in your yard? Will you have to move vegetable and flower gardens that now enjoy full sun?

2) Choose your tree carefully.
Once you have decided WHERE you want your new tree to be, you must decide what KIND of tree you want to have there! Your decision should be based on the tree's location, as its potential size will be of major importance to the setting. Other considerations include fruits and seeds (you might not want a sweet gum dropping sharp seed balls under your kids' swing set!), and whether you want flowers and if so, their color. Is it good for wildlife if that is important to you? How much care and maintenance will it require as it matures?

3) Dig the hole.
With your newly purchased tree next to the site you have chosen, dig a hole as deep as the depth of the root ball, and as wide as you like (3-5 times the root ball diamter is ideal).

4) Place the tree in the hole and replace soil.
Make sure there are no air pockets around the root ball. The soil should be packed firmly around the root ball unless the soil is extremely wet.Use the excess sod and soil to build a small moat around the base of the new tree about the diameter of the tree's top diameter. This will hold moisture and direct it to the young tree's roots, especially if the soil is clay.

6) Water frequently and deeply until your tree is established.
For the first week or two, with few exceptions and depending on the weather, you will need to water your new tree twice weekly. Fill the basin formed by your sod several times and let it soak in, or leave the hose on at a trickle for an hour or so. Apply Espoma Bio-tone starter if desired according to product instructions. Once established, water monthly if needed. Fertilize with worm tea or compost only for the first year, then organic tree spikes or Tree-tone thereafter.