Container-Grown Plants:
- Dig a hole 2-3 times the diameter of the pot and the same depth as the rootball.
- Remove the plant from the pot and loosen the roots on the outer surfaces of the rootball with a small cultivator or utility knife. Put the plant in the hole with the top of the rootball about level with, or slightly above, the surrounding undisturbed soil.
- Backfill with the soil that was dug out of the hole, firming it as you go. (If the soil in the planting area is very poor, the entire planting area should be amended with peat moss or compost.)
- Make a small berm around the backfilled hole to retain irrigation water.
- Mulch the planting area with 2-3 inches of mulch. Keep organic mulches at least 3-6 inches away from the stem of the plant.
- Remove tags and tape that might girdle the stems.
- WATER the plant thoroughly: fill the bermed area around the plant and let the water soak in. CONTINUE to water the plant in the same manner one to three times a week for the remainder of the growing season. Do not allow the rootball to become dried out. If the plant wilts, it most likely needs more water! Simply spraying the foliage is not adequate. For optimum growth, continue to water once a week during the following two summers.
- Half-strength liquid fertilizer may be applied 2-3 times during the first year. Regular fertilization may be applied (per label directions) in years following.
Balled and Burlapped (B&B) Plants:
- Dig a hole 2-3 times the diameter of the pot and the same depth as the rootball.
- Inspect the base of the stem to find the point where the stem flares out to become the root. This is the basal flare. Set the plant in the hole so the basal flare is at or slightly above the surrounding undisturbed soil. Use a sharp utility knife to cut and remove the twine from the top 1/3rd of the ball. Cut off and discard the top 1/3rd of the burlap. Push the remaining burlap down into the hole. Avoid breaking the rootball.
- Proceed as in Steps 3 through 8 above.
***Note: Large trees may require staking or guiding to avoid being uprooted by wind during their first year of establishment. Always remove guide wires or ropes after the first year.
Woodland Gardens' Woody Plant Guarantee
Woodland Gardens guarantees the outdoor woody plants (trees and shrubs) we sell to be healthy and true-to-name at the time of purchase. You are responsible for providing adequate horticultural care (planting and watering). THE FIRST 30 DAYS AFTER TRANSPLANTING ARE CRITICAL TO THE PLANT'S HEALTH. Please pay careful attention to your investment. We are not responsible for damage due to pests, diseases, drought, storm damage, improper planting location, theft, or vandalism after the plant leaves our nursery. At no time will Woodland Gardens be liable for more than the purchase price of the plant. Replacement plants are not guaranteed.