Why should I plant trees?

• Plant trees to control erosion.
  
  
• Plant trees to filter pollution.
  
  
• Plant trees to provide habitat for wildlife.
  
  
• Plant trees to absorb water and control flooding.
  
  
• Plant trees to provide shade and keep the environment cool.
  
  
• Plant trees to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
  
  
• Plant trees to enhance recreation.

Where should I plant trees?

Plant trees at your home or community.

Plant trees in a riparian area (Provides greatest benefit!)

Avoid planting:

Too close to your house.

Too close to other trees.

Underneath power lines.

Where there is buried cable.

More information is available on spacing for shrubs and trees.

Biggest impact

4-H planting project

Good example #1

Good example#2

Root size

Tree height

How do I plant and care for a tree seedling?

Before planting:
Keep your plant moist. Use a regular watering schedule.

Avoid direct sun for more than several minutes or cars in hot parking lots.


When you begin planting:

Make a hole two times wider than the roots and just as far down as the roots go.

Make a three inch high dirt cone in the bottom of the hole. Spread the roots out in the hole. Add soil in layers, gently pressing on each layer and adding water occasionally to settle the dirt.

When the hole is full make a three inch tall mound around the edge of the hole, no higher. Three inches directs the right amount of water to the roots.

After planting:

Keep plant watered during dry periods for the entire first season it grows. Use about 2 gallons of water for each inch of trunk diameter.

Pruning may be done after the first year of growth. Until the tree is 25 years old this will help it maintain a good form.

More details are available for planting shrubs and trees.

Bring it home

Planting

Hole width

Add Soil

Further Care

See some great rural planting.