Stake only if you must.

Allowing a young tree to blow about a bit in the wind will encourage more root growth- and staking a tree incorrectly can cause girdling or a slow choking death. If you live in a windy area and you must stake, add the stakes at planting time and remove this support system after the first year. Tip: The legs from nylon stockings make a good tie for securing a newly planted tree to a stake. The nylon will not cut into the bark and has enough stretch to allow the tree trunk to move a bit in the wind.

Don’t get snippy with the top growth.

Old time gardening advice suggested you should shorten up the longest tree branches by one third to encourage root growth – new studies prove this is not necessary as the young tree needs all leaves possible to produce energy. You can snip off any dead or damaged branches at planting time.

Water slowly, and then seal it with mulch.

A slow running hose will help settle the soil around the tree roots and gently soak the surrounding soil.

Topping off the soil with sorganic mulch such as wood chips or bark chips will seal in the moisture and help the soil temperature to stay warmer during the first crucial winter in the ground. A circle of mulch will also keep mower blades away from the young trunk. Just don’t pile the mulch up around the bark like a turtleneck. There should be no mulch actually touching the bark of the tree, but a two-inch layer of mulch on top of the root area will keep down weeds and protect new roots.

Now take a bow.

Our earth needs more trees and planting a tree will benefit future generations. Trees help clean the air, provide shelter for wildlife and shade for homes. Add a tree this fall and make the world more beautiful for a life time.