KEEP COOL
Keep seedlings cool, moist, and in the dark until planting. Do not soak. Handle gently and avoid touching the roots.
24 HOURS
Plant within 24 hours of receipt. Choose a location away from buried utilities and ensure 10 feet of space between seedlings.
SELECTION
Select a suitable spot considering the height, sunlight and moisture needs for your tree species. Plant seedlings 10 feet apart.
COMPETITION
Remove any adjacent and competing vegetation, to ensure your seedling has sufficient water and nutrients.
DIG
For a bare root seedling, dig a hole at least 2” deeper than the roots, and at least 3-4” wide.
DISTRIBUTE
Distribute roots in the hole evenly, making sure roots are straight, and not curled into the hole or “J” shaped.
DEPTH IS KEY
Ensure that the root collar (the area where the roots meet the stem of the seedling) is even with the soil.
BACKFILL
Backfill the hole with loose soil, heel it in gently to remove air pockets. Make sure the seedling doesn’t tug loose from the soil, and water thoroughly.
MULCH
Mulch around the seedling, avoiding direct contact with the stem. Make a mulch “donut” not a “volcano” with mulch or leaf litter.
AFTER PLANTING
After you plant your seedlings, water them regularly, especially in dry periods during the summer. Fence the pines and cedars to protect them from deer, and consider tree tubes or other options for deciduous trees. It should not be necessary to fertilize your seedlings.
