Planting Trees Guide

October is a perfect time for planting any trees, shrubs and hedging. The time after the hot summer months before the ground freezes in winter offers a brilliant opportunity to plant; allowing these plants to put down a good root system before the hot summer months next year. 

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We have put together this guide to help you give your tree the best start:

The first step is choosing the right tree to suit your chosen aspect in the garden. Consider the available space, soil type and amount of sun. When purchasing the tree, it is best to check the eventual height and spread to make sure it is suitable for the selected area.

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Our top pick for a sunny aspect: Prunus Kanzan. This tree reaches roughly  6m x 4m after 10 years. 

Our top pick for dappled shade: Acer October Glory. This tree reaches roughly 6m x 4m after 10 years.

Our top pick for a narrow space: Prunus Amanogawa. This tree reaches roughly 6m x 2.5m after 10 years.

Our top pick for a small garden: Amelanchier Lamarckii. This tree reaches roughly 4m x 3m after 10 years.

Chloe & Luke have recently planted one of these in their new build garden – it’s also great for clay conditions. 

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Once you have chosen your tree, it’s time to start planting.

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1. Digging the hole: dig roughly twice the diameter of the original pot. It can help to place the tree in the intended space and mark the width of the circle with your spade before you begin digging. Be sure to dig deeper than the pot too. This will give you space to add in your compost and other nutrients.
2. Incorporating the compost: We recommend using Peat Free Compost with added John Innes. Fill the base of the hole with your compost and mix in with your garden soil to begin bringing the level up. You can check that you have gone high enough by briefly holding the tree in place.
3. Add in Rootgrow: Once you are happy with the amount of compost, add in some Rootgrow – the roots of the tree must be touching this product for the best results. Using Rootgrow helps to naturally increase nutrient and water uptake by forming a secondary root system. Alternatively, you can mix bonemeal into your compost.
4. Positioning the tree: We recommend positioning the fullest face of the tree towards the house.
5. Filling the hole: begin adding the compost around the sides of your tree. Firm this in as you go by using the heel of your foot to ensure that there are no pockets of air.
6. Adding a tree stake: You can add a tree stake straight or at a 45 degree angle, depending on what works best for you. Put the tree stake on the side where the wind is coming from to ensure the tree doesn’t rub against the post. We recommend using a mallet to tap it into position, and use a tree tie to secure the tree to the tree stake. This will help keep the tree steady, in turn helping the root system become stronger.
7. Watering: Water the tree in and top dress with bark. This will help to hold in moisture and deter weeds.

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