When your seedlings have grown into small trees, they need to be transplanted to their final growing positions. This should be undertaken during the winter planting season, normally November to March.
There are many potential places where a tree can be planted including gardens, communal and public open space, road verges, parks, hedgerows, woodlands and churchyards. However, it is vital that you only plant a tree when you have the landowner’s permission and ensure that there will be enough space for your tree when it reaches maturity. Choose well-drained sites where the ground is not too hard. Test this by seeing whether you can push a trowel or spade into the ground simply by leaning on it.
If rabbits, squirrels, deer or livestock are found in the area, protect your tree from bark damage with a tree guard – essentially a plastic tube that fits round the stem. These guards also help to protect the tree against strimmers or lawnmowers. Guards come in many shapes and sizes, so make sure you buy one of the right size.
For small trees grown in cartons or Rootrainers, use a trowel to dig a hole for the tree. Ensure that the hole is deep enough to take all the soil and roots from the pots. If required, use a little extra compost or fine soil to pack around the tree.
Use essentially the same procedure as when planting from a carton. However, as the soil volume is smaller, these trees can also be planted by using a spade to make a slot in the ground. Widen it by wiggling the spade backwards and forwards and then put the tree and its soil in the centre of the slot. Carefully push the sides of the slot back together using your foot to close the slot and firm the soil around the tree.
Moisten the compost before removing the tree from its carton. When planted, the surface of the soil from the pot should be level with the soil around it.
Trees grow at different rates, but are most easily transplanted from a seedbed when they are 15-20 cms tall. Once the tree has reached this size, dig up with a spade as shown in the diagram. Ease the tree from the ground and shake to remove loose soil.
If you do not intend to plant the tree immediately, wrap the roots in plastic to protect them and keep them moist. Don’t dig up more trees than you need! Do not leave any plants, particularly those in bags, exposed to direct sunlight.
Make sure the hole you dig for your tree is big enough to enable you to spread out the roots and, equally important, plant the tree so that the root collar – the point from which the roots grow – is at the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil and firm the roots down.