Shrubs and trees are the cornerstone of good landscaping. They add value to your home as well as year-round interest, enjoyment and beauty. Getting your new trees and shrubs off to a good start is critical to their development. The following recommendations will help you plant correctly and ensure desirable growth habits and shapes.

WHEN: Certain times are better than others, however. A general rule of thumb is to plant them when you know they won’t have to endure exces­sive stress. Planting in fall, winter and early spring allows roots to grow and develop. Beginning this slow process at a low-stress time of year helps the plants become established before summer begins.

WHERE: The mature size of the plant should determine its planting site. Make sure there’s plenty of room for the shrub or tree to grow and flourish. Select narrow or smaller trees or shrubs for limited-space landscapes. It’s a common mistake to place large trees and shrubs too close to house and power lines, particularly when the mature plant size is not considered or known. Planting at the correct dis­tance away from house or power lines will prevent possible damage to the structures and plants. Consult your local Home & Garden Showplace expert for specific plants to meet your needs.

HOW: The planting hole should be twice as wide as the root ball (see illustration at right.) Container-grown plants should be carefully removed by tapping or squeezing the con­tainer. Trees and shrubs with their root balls wrapped in burlap can be placed directly in the ground without removing the burlap. The burlap will break down in a short period of time. However, after placing the plant in the ground, be sure to cut any strings or wire that may be tied around the trunk. Do this after placing the plant in the ground. Once planted, the top of the root ball should be flush with the ground. If the plant is too low, remove it and add soil to the bottom of the hole. If the plant is too high, deepen the hole. If you’re planting in areas with poor drainage, keep the top of the root ball slightly above ground-level. Planting too deeply is a sure way to stress the plants and kill them.

Once your tree or shrub is at the correct planting height, make sure it’s standing straight in the planting hole. Then, fill in around the root ball with soil that was removed from the planting hole. It’s not necessary to add soil-improving amendments to this back-filled soil. Because the roots will have to grow in the adjacent soil, it’s best to set the plant in the same soil initially. Recent studies have shown that when amendments are added, roots tend to stay in the planting area only, and not spread out to anchor the plant. This makes the plant much more susceptible to being uprooted by strong winds.

MAINTENANCE: Here are a some tips to ensure a successful planting:

· Water thoroughly and deeply right after planting. This allows the soil to settle tightly around the root ball.

· Make a mounded ring of soil around the planting area to hold water so it will soak into the planting hole and not run off. Remove the ring after the plant is established, usually in a year or less.

· Apply a root stimulator at planting time according to label directions. Check the plant daily, making sure the planting area is moist 3-4” below the soil surface.

· Add a thick layer of mulch to keep the root zone cool and moist.

· When you water, let the water trickle slowly from a garden hose. Or, fill the ring with water and let the water soak into the root zone.