WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE TREE, IS GOOD FOR YOU, AND GOOD FOR US.
Plants need oxygen in the soil. When in doubt, a person should plant higher not lower because plants will die in soil that stays wet too long. This is why soil preparation and planting depth is very important. In this area of the country, our soil can stay wet for an extended time because of the winter thaw, the spring rains, and the poor drainage in many areas.
HOW TO PLANT YOUR FOUNDATION PLANTS.
The foundation plants will do best in raised planting beds with amended soil and 3 inches of mulch. You can do this by adding compost to your soil. An example would be to mix 50% oak bark into your existing soil. Another way is to add premixed topsoil and oak bark above your existing soil. This raised bed will contain the root system of your small foundation plants for many years.
HOW TO PLANT TREES OR OTHER PLANTS IN THE YARD.
The trees and plants in the yard will do best with 20% of the root ball above the existing ground level. Mound the 20% with your soil and mulch. Most of the plant roots exist in the upper 12 inches of the soil because they grow where oxygen is most abundant. Do not amend the soil around these larger plants. Amending the fill soil creates three different soil zones for larger plants: first, the soil in the root ball; second, the fill soil; and third, the soil on site. A general rule is to put back what you took out and fertilize.
Remove any rope that is wrapped around the trunk. Wire baskets will not restrict the roots but may be cut away from the top of the root ball. You may remove burlap around the top but not the sides and bottom.
Most of the time your leafy trees do not need to be staked. You may want to stake them if the crown is out of proportion to the root ball, the site is windy, or vandals may be a threat. Most pines and spruce do need staking. Keep the stake on for only one year unless there are extreme conditions and you adjust it at the end of the year. Tree wrap is not recommended.
SPECIAL CARE IS NEEDED FOR INSTALLATION OF BROADLEAF EVERGREENS.
In this area, the most common broadleaf evergreens are rhododendrons, azaleas, boxwood, and holly. Why do these plants die more than any other types? They are planted in the wrong area and in the wrong soil. They need to be out of extreme winter winds, areas that repeatedly freeze and thaw, or reflected summer heat. In most cases this means a North or East exposure. The right soil is acid (low ph) and drains well. Make a raised bed of 75% Oak Bark Mulch or sphagnum peat moss with your soil or topsoil. This mixture should extend two feet on each side of the plant. Cover the area with 3 inches of oak bark mulch.