Planting a Tree



How to plant a tree

There’s nothing more satisfying than planting a tree and watching it grow over the years. Follow our steps below to ensure your tree gets off to a great start.

Check that your chosen planting site offers the space and growing conditions your new tree will need

Quick facts

Autumn to spring is the best time to plant trees

Trees add structure, height and year-round interest to a garden

They’re great for wildlife too, offering nesting sites, flowers for pollinators and often nutritious fruit

Check the plant label before buying, to ensure your tree will thrive in your chosen planting site

Getting started

How to plant a tree in eight simple steps

What you’ll need:

Bare-root or containerised tree

​Spade and fork

​Bucket of water

Tree guard or spiral (optional)

Mulch (organic matter, such as chipped bark)

Sturdy stake, mallet and tree tie

Top tip

Before buying a tree, always check its eventual height and spread to make sure it won’t outgrow its space.

Choose your tree carefully, to suit your growing conditions and the available space. See our guide to growing trees, guide to buying trees and trees for small gardens for more advice.

Trees are usually bought in pots, although some (especially fruit trees) may be available without pots (bare-root or rootballed) between autumn and spring from specialist suppliers. All can be planted in the following way.

The best time to plant is from autumn to spring, as long as the ground isn’t too wet or frozen. Containerised trees can be planted at other times, but they may need more aftercare to help them settle in. Avoid planting in hot or dry weather.

How to plant a tree in eight simple steps

Dig a hole

Make sure it's the same depth as the tree’s rootball but three times as wide. Loosen the soil around the sides of the hole with a fork if necessary.

Soak the rootball

Soak thoroughly before planting – standing the tree in a bucket of water is an easy way to do this. Then remove the tree from its pot.

Check the rootball

Gently loosen the roots if they’re tightly packed, to encourage them to grow outwards into the soil.

Position your tree

Place it in the hole, so the point where the roots meet the trunk is level with the soil surface. Check the level using a cane or piece of wood, and adjust if necessary. Step back and assess the tree – is it showing off its best side? If not, turn it until you’re happy with the positioning.

Refill the hole

Refill around the rootball, firming down the soil with your heel to ensure there are no air pockets. Check that the stem is still upright afterwards.

Add a tree guard or spiral

Fit one of these around the base of the trunk if wildlife such as rabbits visit your garden and may want to nibble the bark.

Water well and mulch

Water the tree to thoroughly soak its rootball. Then, spread mulch over the surface of the soil, in a layer 5–8cm (2–3in) thick. This will help to hold moisture in the soil and deter weeds. Leave a 10cm (4in) mulch-free gap around the base of the trunk. See our guide to mulching.

Insert a sturdy stake

Insert at a 45 degree angle, using a mallet to make sure it’s deeply anchored. Then attach the trunk to the stake with a flexible tree tie. This will hold the base of the trunk and rootball steady, allowing the roots to get well established, while letting the upper part of the trunk flex and strengthen. See our guide to staking trees.

Planting a tree in clay soil

Planting trees

Video guide to planting trees

Aftercar

Water your new tree regularly for at least a year or two, especially during dry spells.

Check the stake and tree tie annually, loosening the tie gradually as the trunk expands. Keep the stake in place for two to three years, until the tree is firmly rooted.