Tree planting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What tree planting is

Tree planting chooses a suitable species, digs a wide hole, sets the tree at the right depth, backfills, stakes it if needed, and mulches and waters it so it establishes well. People hire it to replace a removed tree, to add shade or privacy, or to start a new planting that will grow for decades.

Signs you need it

  • A tree was removed and the space needs a replacement that suits the site
  • The yard has no shade, and you want a tree that will provide it in the years ahead
  • You want privacy or a windbreak planted before a neighbor's view or a road becomes a problem
  • A new home or a regrade has left a site that needs trees in a planned spot
  • You want a tree planted with the right depth and root care, not dropped into a hole by the fence

What the pro does

  • The planter checks the site for sun, drainage, overhead and underground utilities, and the room the mature tree will need
  • A species and a size are chosen to suit the site, the climate and the goal of the planting
  • A hole is dug wide and shallow, a few times the width of the root ball, and no deeper than the root ball
  • The tree is set so the root flare sits at or slightly above grade, then backfilled with native soil and firmed
  • The tree is staked only if needed, mulched in a ring away from the trunk, and watered in with a plan for the first season

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Tree size at planting, since larger trees cost more to buy and move
  • Species and availability, including whether it is a common or specialty tree
  • Soil condition, such as compacted clay or rocky ground that makes digging harder
  • Access for the truck and the equipment needed to set a large tree
  • Whether the site needs root barrier, staking or irrigation added
  • Removal of old stumps, roots or debris from the planting spot
  • Whether a watering schedule or a first-season check is included

What a written quote should spell out

  • The tree species, size and root type at planting
  • The planting hole size and depth, and the backfill material
  • The staking method, if staking is needed, and when it will be removed
  • The mulch type and the ring size, with a note on keeping mulch off the trunk
  • The watering done at planting and the schedule for the first season
  • The tree warranty and what the customer must do to keep it valid

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is this species suited to the sun, soil and space, and how big will it get?
  • How deep do you plant the tree, and how do you check the root flare?
  • Do you stake the tree, and when do you remove the stakes?
  • How do you check the utilities before digging?
  • What is the watering plan for the first season, and who handles it?
  • What is the warranty, and what does it cover if the tree struggles?
  • Do you plant container trees, balled and burlapped trees or bare root trees, and why for this spot?

Red flags

  • They plant the tree with the root flare buried below grade
  • They plant a species that will outgrow the space, such as a large tree near a house or a line
  • They wrap the trunk tight or pile mulch against it
  • They do not check for utilities or buried lines before digging
  • They leave a plastic pot, wire basket, twine or synthetic burlap on the root ball, which can girdle and strangle the roots

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can plant a small, container-grown tree on their own, digging a wide hole, setting the root flare at grade and watering it in. Call a pro for large trees that need equipment, for planting near structures or lines, or for sites with heavy clay or rock. Lift heavy root balls with a helper and your legs, and locate buried utilities before you dig.

Licenses and permits

Tree planting is commonly not licensed for a homeowner, but tree work for pay may need licensing or registration in some areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency before you hire or offer that work, and check your permit office for planting near utilities or in protected areas.

Tree planting questions

Why shouldn't I plant a tree too deep?

A tree planted too deep can suffocate its roots over time. The root flare, where the trunk widens at the base, should sit at or just above the surrounding soil. Ask the planter to show you the flare on your tree.

How long does a newly planted tree need watering?

New trees need steady moisture through the first seasons while the roots spread. Ask the planter how often to water, how much, and how to tell when the soil is too wet or too dry.

Should I stake my new tree?

Stake only when the tree cannot stand alone or is in a windy spot, and remove the stakes on the schedule the planter gives. Long-term staking can weaken the trunk, so ask when the stakes come off.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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