How-to Guide
How to Plant a Tree or Shrub Correctly
The short answer
Dig the hole only as deep as the root ball but 2-3 times as wide, with roughened sides. Set the tree so its root flare — the spot where the trunk widens into the roots — sits right at or slightly above the soil line. Planting too deep (burying the flare) is the single most common reason young trees slowly fail.
Backfill with the native soil you dug out (no need to amend the hole), firm it gently, water deeply, and mulch a wide ring — keeping the mulch off the trunk. Most trees don't need staking; if a top-heavy tree does, tie it loosely and remove the stakes after one year.
Dig wide, plant shallow
- 1Find the root flare — Locate where the trunk flares out into roots; that must end up at or just above ground level. Brush away excess soil on top of a potted root ball to find it.
- 2Dig the hole — Only as deep as the root ball, but 2-3x (up to 3-5x) as wide, with roughened sides so new roots can spread into loosened soil.
- 3Set and check — Place the tree, then check the flare is visible — never buried.
- 4Backfill with native soil — Refill with the soil you removed (amending only the hole creates a 'pot' roots won't leave), firm gently, and water in.
After planting
- Mulch a wide 2-3 inch ring, but keep it a few inches OFF the trunk (no mulch volcanoes).
- Water deeply and regularly the first 1-2 years while roots establish.
- Skip staking unless the tree can't stand — if you must, tie loosely (some sway builds strong roots) and remove after one year.
⚠ Burying the root flare too deep causes girdling roots, bark rot, and slow decline — a tree planted too deep can die years later. When in doubt, plant a little high.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Iowa State University Extension — Tree Planting Basics — Dig the planting hole as deep as the root ball and 2-3 times as wide; keep the root flare at or above the soil line; backfill with native soil, mulch (off the trunk), and water.
- University of Maryland Extension — Planting a Tree or Shrub — Plant so the root flare is visible; make the hole wider than the root ball with roughened sides; avoid planting too deep, which harms the tree.
- Nebraska Extension — Planting Depth is Critical to Tree Success — Planting too deep is a leading cause of tree failure; the root flare should remain visible at the soil surface.
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