PLANTING TREES AND SHRUBS

1810 S. Hwy. 89 in Perry (435)723-7748	05/13/05

Loading your plants and getting them home:

Carry your tree or shrub by the pot or rootball. Never lift it by the trunk, because this will damage the roots.

Lay down all trees and tall shrubs when transporting in an open pickup or trailer. Don't cover with tarps or plastic, they will whip in the wind and do more damage than good. If trees hang out more than 6 feet past the end of your vehicle, ask us for some fluorescent flagging to tie on the ends.

Planting Instructions:

1 - Dig a hole that is at least 50% wider than the rootball, but not deeper. Note: make sure the hole is the right depth, it is very hard to lift a heavy root ball back out of a hole. The top of the rootball should be even with the soil surface.

2 - Use a good soil amendment to mix with the soil removed from the hole. Mix thoroughly at a rate of 20% soil amendment to 80% existing soil. For heavy clay soils, use a coarse material such as soil pep or compost. For soils which are gravelly and have good drainage, use peat moss or compost to improve your existing soil.

3 -

Containerized Plants:

(Plants growing in pots)

Remove the pot by pressing gently on all sides to loosen it. Then tap on the top of the pot while sliding the plant out. Fiber pots may need to be cut to remove. Now set the plant in the hole and position it how you want it. Note: The top of the rootball should be even with the soil surface.

If you notice when you remove the pot that there are strings and burlap around the plant's trunk, go to 'B&B' instructions on the right

.

'B&B' or 'Balled and Burlapped' Plants: (Plants with burlap tied around the roots)

If there is a wire 'cage' surrounding the rootball, remove it at this point. Next, gently slide the plant into the hole with the burlap still on. Never take the burlap completely off. When the plant is in the hole and positioned how you want it, cut the twine wrapped around the trunk and fold the burlap down off from the top 1/3 of the root ball.

4 - Backfill the hole with your amended soil, creating a catch basin around the tree or shrub to hold water.

5 - Water the plant using Alpine Gardens Root Starter according to label directions.

6 - Use shredded bark mulch 3" deep to help conserve soil moisture, as well as to help control weeds. If you are planting a tree in a lawn area, use a concrete tree ring, with 3" of shredded bark, to keep grass (and lawn mowers and weedeaters) away from the trunk.

7 - Remember to save your used plastic pots that are #1 (1 gallon) size and larger. We can re-use them if they are in good condition, and we'll give you credit toward your next purchase.

SEE BACK OF PAGE FOR CARE INSTRUCTIONS AND GUARANTEE INFORMATION

Caring for your newly planted trees and shrubs:

Newly planted plants (including most drought tolerant or water-wise plants) need a deep watering 2 or 3 times per week during their first growing season. (Heavy clay soils hold moisture longer, and may require less frequent watering.) Lawn sprinklers are usually not adequate for trees and shrubs because they water too shallowly.

One way to determine if your plants need water is to insert a moisture meter right down into the rootball and take a reading there, as well as in the surrounding soil. If you don't have a moisture meter, dig into the soil with your finger or a screwdriver to see if the rootball and surrounding soil are moist.

Check the trunk occasionally for damage from Weedeaters, lawnmowers, animals, young boys with pocketknives, etc.. If more than ½ of the diameter of the trunk is damaged, the tree can die.

Thanks for shopping at Alpine Gardens.

We appreciate your business!