- Dig a shallow hole, wider than the root ball. Planting too deeply will deprive the roots of oxygen.
- Remove all twine, burlap & wire.
- The roots should be underground and the trunk should be above ground. The root flare (widening trunk base) should be visible at ground level.
| - Mulching conserves moisture, improves aeration and adds nutrients to the soil. Mulching also reduces the potential for lawn mower damage.
- Mulch a wide ring 2"- 4" deep around the base. Roots grow outward just under the soil surface so the wider you mulch the better.
- Be sure that less than 1" of mulch is in direct contact with the trunk. "Volcano mulching" will cause your tree to decay and disease.
| - Pruning provides clearance, removes competing limbs, and removes diseased or dead branches.
- Pruning cuts should not leave large stubs and should never be flush to the trunk. This will cause irreparable trunk wounds.
- A proper pruning cut does not damage the branch bark ridge nor the branch collar.
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