Tree planting guide

Planting new trees – of the right kind and in the right places – is something anyone can do to
improve their environment.

This guide sets out the main points that you will need to consider, whether they are carrying out the
planting themselves or taking the lead in community tree planting. It gives tips on choosing a
planting site and selecting the appropriate species and size of stock, planting techniques and
methods of tree protection.

Section one: planning tree planting

Selecting the correct planting sites and the right trees
is critical – mistakes can be long lasting and difficult to
rectify. An important factor to take into account is
what the area may look like in 20, 50 and 100 years. A
single well-placed tree can grow to be seen above the
rooftops and may give more visual benefit than
several scattered small ones. The ideal is a tree able
to grow to full maturity with little or no surgery.
Mature trees do not necessarily take up large
amounts of space.

Choosing a planting site

Options include:
• front and back gardens • local nature reserves (without
• existing tree pits disturbing
• roundabouts • the ecological balance)
• grass verges • woodland (without disturbing the
• traffic islands • ecological balance)
• housing estates (but beware of • golf courses
• underground services) • hospital grounds
• parks and open spaces • industrial estates
• alongside public footpaths • shops and office car parks
• school/college grounds • playing fields
• city farms • development sites.
Assessing a site

Here are some important points to consider about a site.

• Ownership of the land

• Trees may only be planted with the landowner’s permission
• Will the owner carry out planting?
• If not, will permission be given for planting?
• Can planting be planned to meet the owner’s objectives and also benefit the community?
• What is the foreseeable future of the site (and therefore the trees)? Seek assurance
• from the owner.
• Who will look after the newly planted trees? This needs to be agreed.

Proximity to buildings and other structures

Many recent buildings will have adequate foundations to enable selected trees to be planted nearby.

Tree-related subsidence usually occurs only on shrinkable clay soils where foundation damage may
result from roots extracting water.

Poplars and willow species should be planted with caution in built-up areas on clay as they require so
much water.

See section 6, Trees – threats and challenges.

Ultimate size of the proposed tree

Trees grow in height and spread over a life of 100 years or more, and might eventually cause problems
in terms of shade, light and building foundations.

What will be the ultimate spread and height of the tree?

How far will the roots spread? They may extend as much as twice the ultimate height of the tree.

See section 6, Trees – threats and challenges.

Safety concerns

There are some sites where planting trees could be hazardous.

Before carrying out any work, it is vital to check whether any services are likely to be running
underground. Seek advice from the local authority about this.

Trees will require constant pruning in order to maintain statutory clearance if planted under overhead
services (such as electricity cables and phone wires).

Trees should not be planted where they could obscure road sight lines, road signs or street/security
lighting.

The local ecology

Ecological factors may mean that it is best not to plant trees at all.
Is natural regeneration already taking place? If so, this may be preferable for wildlife.

Is the site already valuable tree habitat, like thickets and old orchards, which

should normally be retained?

Will trees shade out old grassland, streams or ponds, or damage heath, peat or very damp ground such
as bogs (which should be left unplanted)?

Are there good reasons for the site being treeless (e.g. it is heavily grazed, too

exposed, thin or polluted soil, or waterlogged ground)?

Choosing the right species

• Copy nature by planting trees already successful on or near the site.

• For a rural site, choose species in keeping with the existing woodland.
• In urban areas, options range from ornamental planting schemes to creating new ‘natural’
areas.
• Choose species for urban areas that are tolerant of atmospheric pollution and soil
chemicals such as road salt (see also section 6, Trees – threats and challenges).
• Consider the eventual height and spread of trees in relation to nearby roads, buildings and
overhead lines.
• Fallen fruits from trees such as hybrid hawthorns and rowans make pavements slippery.
• Large leaves from species like horse chestnuts may also make pavements
• slippery.
• Trees which extract moisture from shrinkable soil may affect nearby
• foundations.
• Trees that produce poisonous fruits (e.g. yews and laburnum) are unsuitable for children’s play
areas and where animals graze.
• Trees with fruit that causes stomach-ache (e.g. crab apples) are best avoided near
• play areas.
• Some trees, like white poplar, false acacia and wild cherry, have suckers and surface roots which
may disrupt paving or light structures such as boundary walls.
• Trees casting dense shade and reaching large dimensions, such as oaks and beeches, can shade
windows and gardens.

Choosing the right size of stock

Once the tree species has been chosen, the next step is to select the planting stock.

Generally, the smaller a tree is when planted, the more readily it becomes established and begins to
grow.

This is because small trees have a relatively large root system in relation to their canopy or leaf surface
area. This means the aerial portion of the tree can be well supplied with water, oxygen and minerals
which are essential once a tree has started into growth.
It is not uncommon for a self-set tree seedling or whip to outgrow a larger tree (even one that is well-
maintained) and reach maturity before it.

However, if the aim is to have instant effect, it is a good idea to choose a standard or semi-mature tree.

Seedlings, transplants and whips

• Very cheap – so a good way to achieve large-scale planting.

• Easy to plant – so ideal for community/school planting involving
• volunteers.
• Readily stands the stress of transplanting.

Feather

• Relatively cheap – so still practical for large projects.

• More likely to be damaged or stressed during planting than smaller stock.
• Requires more skill in planting because it needs to be well-anchored in the soil to
• reduce the risk of wind damage.

Standard

• Relatively expensive to buy and also requires more planting preparation.

• Less susceptible to damage during planting than smaller stock.
• A good way to achieve immediate impact in gardens, streets or shopping precincts.

Heavy standard

• An expensive option.
• Good for achieving effect in prestigious sites.

Semi-mature

• The most expensive option.

• Achieves instant impact but needs very careful planting and a great deal of maintenance
(particularly watering) for a long time after planting.

Normal trade descriptions of trees of various sizes – used throughout the nursery trade

Seedling height: 0.2 to 0.9m (8in to 3ft)

Whip height: 1m to 1.75m (3ft 3in to 5ft 9in)

 Transplant height: up to 1.25m (4ft)

Feather height: 1.25 to 2.5m (4ft to 8ft )

Multi-stemmed height: various

(From left)
Also available are:
Standard with leader height: 2 to 3.5m (6ft 6in to
Heavy standard same as standard but height
11ft 6in)
3.5m (11ft 6in) or more, girth 140mm (5in)
Standard with branching head height: 2 to 3.5m
Semi-mature size varies
(6ft 6in to 11ft 6in)

Types of stock

• As well as being available in different sizes, trees are produced in different types of
• stock.
• Bare-root – grown in open ground, dug up in winter and sold with no soil covering the roots;
usually small stock, i.e. whips and feathers.
• Root-balled – like bare root but sold with a covering of soil and wrapped in hessian
• for transportation; usually larger stock, i.e. standards and upwards.
• Containerised – like rootballed but put into a container for sale.
• Container-grown – most common type of stock in garden centres; all sizes are now available.
•

Obtaining trees

One way to obtain new trees is to grow them from seeds or by taking cuttings or grafts (see section 3,
How to grow your own trees). If this is not an option, here are points to consider when buying them.

Ordering trees
 • If ordering native species, check their origin and be wary if the nursery is unable to supply the
information. Some nurseries list the origin of each species in
• their catalogues. Some nurseries will raise plants from seed of acceptable origin if collected and
supplied by the customer.
• Place orders early with a reputable nursery to ensure a prompt delivery; if possible stipulate a
date.

Local suppliers, listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Nurseries – Horticultural’or ‘Garden Centres’, will
mostly specialise in containergrown ornamental stock. However, many will supply other types of tree to
order. For sources of native trees in quantity, a good starting point is the local wildlife trust or BTCV
office, or even the local authority officer.

For large numbers of trees it is best to place orders by July or August for supply in the late
autumn/winter. Beware of accepting substitute tree species which seldom have the desired
characteristics of the plants ordered. Inspect the trees as soon as they arrive and return them
immediately to the nursery if they are unfit for planting: e.g. have broken leading shoots or side
branches, damaged bark or dried-out and damaged roots. For container-grown trees, check they are not
pot-bound.

Section two: planting the trees

To give new trees the best possible start and the greatest chances of survival, there are a number of key
considerations.

When to plant

Bare-root trees should be planted during the dormant season. Container-grown trees can be planted all
year round. In all cases, avoid days when the ground is frozen.

A good time to plant is during The Tree Council’s National Tree Week (end of November – beginning of
December). In dry areas, late autumn planting is best for most species as this gives trees a chance to
become established before spring droughts. In wet areas, early spring planting is best.

Ideally, the site should be drained of excess water. Where soils are wet and then freeze there is a risk of
‘frost lift’ which can devastate newly planted trees, though this is unlikely in most years. Evergreen trees
are best planted either early or late in the planting season. Spring planting should not take place until
the soil has begun to warm. Although container-grown trees can be planted at any time of year, the
same guidelines will give best results for them too.

If planting is in late spring or summer, container-grown trees should be watered during dry spells for the
first growing season (see section 5, Managing and caring for trees).

Pre-planting care

Many bare-root trees are already dead when planted. This is often because of careless handling
between the time they are lifted from the nursery and final planting-out.

Unfortunately, these trees are not easy to identify before planting and the first sign of a problem may be
when they fail to grow.
It is essential to ensure that:

• bare-root trees are delivered with their roots wrapped in plastic

• if not planted immediately, bare-root trees are removed from the bags and heeled-in, see
diagram (for 24 hours or less, bags of trees may be stored in a cool shady position out of the
wind)
• as much short fibrous root is kept on the trees as possible
• trees are safeguarded from damage, such as broken stem tops and bark stripped from stem or
roots
• trees are stored only where there is free drainage, so that they do not stand in waterlogged
conditions
• roots are protected from heat.
• Ideally, trees should be lifted, transported and replanted without interruption.

However, they may need to be stored before planting and the best way to store bare-root trees is by
heeling-in.

Heeling-in
Dig a trench in good fresh moist soil which will not dry out or become waterlogged. Cultivated nursery
ground is ideal, provided it is shaded. Dig the trench with a sloping back, deep enough for the tree
roots to be completely covered.
Trees in bundles should be separated and spaced along the trench, otherwise those in the centre may
dry or – in the case of evergreens – heat up. Putting a marker stick every 50 or 100 trees saves
counting later. Place the trees with their roots completely in the trench but with their tops out. Cover
the roots with soil and firm it lightly by treading.

Preparing the ground

Before trees are planted, the ground may need some preparation, particularly in urban areas where soil
compaction is often a problem.

Compaction can happen on brownfield sites, on land where there is a plough pan (an area of the ground
compacted by frequent ploughing) and on new development sites (see section 6, Trees – threats and
challenges).
In severe cases it stops the tree roots from establishing, so the trees fail to grow well and may
eventually die. If the planting site suffers from soil compaction then ideally the area should be subsoiled.

This is a process that loosens the soil and breaks up the compaction or plough pan. It is usually done
with a mechanical digger.

If subsoiling is not practical, a solution can be to plant in large planting pits where material has been
introduced to improve drainage and add nutrients.

Planting small trees

There are three ways to plant small trees:

• notch planting
• turf planting
• mound and ridge planting

Notch planting

Notch or slit planting with a garden spade is the quickest, but not the most reliable, method for planting
small trees. It is generally suitable for mass planting of bare-rooted transplants and whips under 90 cm
(3ft) high. It should not be used in wet soil, for large or expensive trees or where failures must be
minimised.

Where there is a thick grassy mat, clear a bare Use the spade to cut through the turf into the soil
patch about 0.5metre (19in) in diameter by to a depth that will accommodate the roots of
scraping off vegetation and the top inch or so of the tree being planted.
soil with a spade or mattock.
 Push the spade backwards and forwards in the Hold the tree in place and firm the soil
slot to create a hole large enough for the roots. around the stem with the heel.

Turf planting

This method is useful for planting small trees in wet ground, especially peaty soils, as it improves
drainage around roots.

Cut out a square of turf and turn it grass side down. Cut a notch into the turf and soil below. Insert the
roots, then firm.

Mound and ridge planting

For poorly-drained sites where the turf is difficult to cut, mound planting provides extra freely-draining
soil for roots. In all cases it is important to apply a mulch at the time of planting because this will reduce
the need to weed and water, helping to ensure the survival of the tree (see section 5, Managing and
caring for trees).

In all cases it is important to apply a mulch at the time of planting because this will reduce the need to
weed and water, helping to ensure the survival of the tree (see section 5, Managing and caring for
trees).
 In some cases it may be possible to arrange for In exposed sites, plant on the downwind side of
the site to be ploughed to create ridges and the mound/ridge.
furrows to improve drainage.

Protecting trees from damage

Trees, especially when young, are extremely vulnerable to damage from animals and people. Protection
requires planning.

Points to consider

• Cost: protective measures can add considerably to initial costs. It is usually cheaper to protect
groups rather than individual trees.
• Maintenance: all forms of protection add to maintenance costs.
• Appearance: protection can sometimes be unsightly.
• Land take: protective measures often reduce the land available for other uses.
• Susceptibility to animal damage: is the species of tree particularly susceptible?
• Could a more resistant species be planted?

The choice: fences, guards or shelters

The cost of individual tree protection increases with the number of trees, but fencing costs relate to the
size and shape of land enclosed, irrespective of the number of trees. Long, thin or complex shapes are
the most uneconomical to fence, with squares and wide rectangles being the cheapest.

Tree shelters (wire mesh or plastic) are the most common tree protection for plantings of less than a
hectare (2.5 acres). For larger areas, perimeter fencing is usually cheaper, but it will not deter rabbits or
squirrels.

Shelters make it easier to locate newly planted trees for weeding and maintenance.

They also protect against damage by animals and herbicide around the base. Plastic shelters act like
mini-greenhouses. Growth can be up to five times the normal rate in the first two years.

Methods of tree protection

• Stock-proof fencing: essential if animals are to graze nearby. Fencing must be at least two
metres from any new planting.
 • Rabbit-proof fencing: around plantations where there is a problem – but ensure the rabbits are
not fenced inside.
• Shelters for individual trees: it is important to find out which animals are likely to threaten the
survival of newly planted trees and then use shelters and stakes of the appropriate height.

Shelter Stake Animals

0.6m (2ft) 0.8m (2ft 6in) Rabbits and hares

1.2m (4ft) 1.2m (4ft) Sheep and roe deer

1.8m (6ft) 1.8m (6ft) Fallow, sika and red deer

1.8m (6ft) Heavy duty Cattle and horses

Rabbit sleeves, spirals, Netlon guards and grow- Extruded plastic tubes protect individual trees.
tubes The top of any stake must be below the top of
the tube to prevent the tree chafing later.
Push the end of the guard into the ground around
the base of the tree.

There is a risk that spiral guards will unravel and

damage the tree.
 Make sure tall shelters are well attached to firm,
strong stakes so that the shelter does not move
and damage the tree.

There are various types of extruded plastic tubes,

but all have the same function. There are also
different ways of attaching them to a stake.

Using tree ties

Using wire or zip ties

Tree guards
Stout, tall metal guards deter vandalism of
individual standard trees.
Planting large trees

Although labour-intensive, pit planting is the best method for large trees because it ensures plenty of
room for the roots. It is essential for trees over 90cm (3ft) tall. It is also worthwhile when planting only a
few trees or where failures would be expensive or difficult to replace.

Pit planting

In good soil, dig a hole big enough for all the Break up compacted soil to improve drainage and
roots to spread out. In poor soil, dig a hole wider aerate the roots.
and deeper than needed for the roots, and partly
refill. Consider adding a soil improver.

Gently tease out the roots that have wound

Use a stake if the tree is over 1.5m (5ft).
around the inside of the pot.
Drive the stake into the bottom of the pit and
then place the tree on the downwind side.
Stakes should not be more than a third of the
height of the tree.

Keep the top of the rootball level with the

Backfill and gently shake the tree up and
 soil surface. down to ensure a good contact between
root and soil. Once the roots are covered
continue treading more firmly until the hole
is over-filled, leaving the soil slightly above
the surrounding ground.Treading in is
most important when pit planting. Many
failures are due to lack of firming. In heavy
soils, do not firm so much that the soil
becomes compacted.
Water the tree.
Drench the soil with at least five litres of water.
The amount will depend on the size of the tree
being planted.

Watering tubes
Whether to use a watering tube will depend on
Clear grass and weeds for an area of the situation
approximately 1m (3ft) diameter around the tree, Heavy standards planted into
and apply a layer of mulch. For more pavements are often planted with a watering
information about mulches and how to tube to make it easier to get large quantities
apply see section 5, Managing and caring for of water to the roots. However, this may
trees. encourage roots to stay within the planting pit
and not grow into the surrounding ground.

Staking and tying large trees

Recommendations for staking trees have changed in recent years. Tying a tree just below the start of
the crown using a tall stake is not now recommended. This is because the stem cannot sway, so little
increase in stem diameter occurs from crown to base.

Swaying in the wind stimulates growth of stem diameter.

With no stake, the whole tree sways, stimulating maximum diameter growth near the root collar (i.e.
the transition from stem to root). Where support is necessary (normally if the tree is more than 1.5m
[5ft] tall), stake the tree sufficiently to anchor the rootball in the ground, but allow the stem to

sway in the wind.

For large trees, two-thirds of the stake should be below ground. It needs to be driven into the base of
the pit to make it stable.

Using a single stake

Position the stake first, on the side of the tree facing towards the prevailing
wind, to reduce chafing in storms. Position the tree 25 to 50mm (1 to 2in) from
the stake.

Attaching tree ties with pads

Fix the pad 25mm (1in) from the top of the stake.

Thread the belt through and either fasten the buckle or tack as shown to allow
adjustment as the tree grows.

The right size of pad is important. If it is too small it can split as the tree grows.
The belt should form a loop and not be drawn in tightly by the pad.

No stake should extend higher than a third of the height of the stem. Use a
single flexible tie, to allow movement. Old inner tubes and tights are suitable,
though not particularly attractive. A pad between the stake and the tree is
always necessary.

If trees are well tended, roots should have grown enough to anchor them two
years after planting, when stakes should be removed. Sometimes it is best
simply to cut off the stake at soil level, being careful not to damage the bark.
This will avoid disturbing the roots.
Other methods of staking trees

There are also various methods for staking trees in particular situations.

Guy ropes Double stake

Only suitable for large heavy standard trees on For windy exposed sites
sites where there is no risk of people tripping.

Angled stake

Used for trees with a large rootball. Driven into the ground after planting.

Find out more

• Hillier’s Gardeners Guide to Trees and Shrubs

• Collins Tree Guide
• The Garden Tree, Alan Mitchell and Allen Coombes
• Encyclopaedia of Gardening, RHS
• Trees in Your Ground, The Tree Council
• Trees: Their Use, Management, Cultivation and Biology.
• A comprehensive guide, Bob Watson

References

1. Tree Roots and the Built Environment – Urban soils for amenity trees, page 79, DCLG Research
for Amenity Trees No 8