Tree Sapling Planting and Care

Proper planting and care are important to tree health. While planting a tree might seem simple, you need to plan ahead and follow up with regular maintenance for the tree to thrive. Follow these steps to ensure your sapling becomes a beautiful, long-term contributor to our urban forest!

man and child planting a tree

Right Tree, Right Place

The right location is critical to both the long-term survival of the tree and to avoid creating a hazard. Trees planted in the wrong spot can cause problems for infrastructure or other public safety concerns.

  • Call the local utility locating service to come and locate utilities so your tree will not interfere with utility lines (Call 811 at least 48 hours before you dig).
  • Make sure there is plenty of room for the root system to grow without getting in the way of sidewalks, building foundations, or infrastructure.
  • Make sure there aren’t any power lines above where the tree is being placed.
  • Select the location based on the site adaptations of the tree species:


Site Adaptations for Native Tree Species (from DNR)

Species that need full sunSpecies that tolerate some shade
  • Douglas fir
  • Pine species
  • Red alder
  • Western hemlock
  • Grand fir
  • Western red cedar
  • Spruce species
Species that tolerate dry sitesSpecies that tolerate wet sites
  • Ponderosa pine
  • Lodgepole pine
  • Shore pine
  • Grand fir
  • Western red cedar
  • Spruce species


When to plant

Planting the sapling at the right time of year will help avoid some potential problems like transplant shock, and you may not have to water it as much.

  • The best time to plant in the Pacific Northwest is generally the fall when there are no leaves on the trees; usually between November and April.
  • Never plant trees in frozen ground.
  • Avoid planting during hot, dry weather.

Prepare the soil

  • Call the utility locate service before you dig, if you haven’t already done so (Call 811 at least 48 hours before you dig).
  • Break up compacted soils with a shovel or hoe, in an area at least 2-3 times the width of the sapling’s root ball or container. Larger holes allow for better root growth, especially in compacted soils.
  • Remove any rocks or debris from the hole.
  • The hole should be no deeper than the height of base of the root system to the root collar (the bulging area where the tree trunk meets the root system). Make sure you can still see the root collar when the sapling is in the hole. If it is too deep the tree won’t get enough oxygen, making it more vulnerable to root disease.
  • Do not use lawn fertilizers in the planting hole, as they can burn the roots.


Prepare the tree, plant, and backfill

  • Remove tags, burlap, baskets, etc. from the tree. If the tree is in a container and the roots appear to be growing into each other, gently untangle them.
  • If the roots are bare and exposed, mound some soil in the center of the hole before setting the root mass on top. This allows the roots to cascade around the mound.
  • Gently place the sapling in the hole without breaking the roots.
  • If you want to stake the tree, place the stakes now to avoid damaging the roots later after you’ve backfilled.
  • Backfill the hole only about half full and lightly tamp it with your foot to remove air. Don’t pack the soil too tightly.
  • Saturate the soil with water.
  • Finish filling the hole with soil.
  • The root collar should be at, or slightly above, ground level.
  • Water the tree again. Do not mound extra soil around the tree.
  • You can use any leftover soil to build a ridge around the edge of the tree canopy to hold moisture at the root system when you water it. This can be removed after the first year.
tree planting detail

Care for your tree

  • Place mulch in the watering ring to keep the tree moist and cool.
  • Water regularly, especially in the first three to five years.
  • Stake the tree if it is exposed to winds or cannot stand upright on its own. Remove the stakes within a year or so.
  • Perform periodic, ongoing inspection and maintenance like pruning, mulching, and fertilization.
  • If you are concerned about the health of your tree, call a tree care specialist.

This information is from the Washington State DNR Forest Stewardship Program and the Pacific Northwest ISA.