Recommended Planting and Care Instructions

Thank you for selecting trees from Allwood Trees Ltd.

To follow are recommended instructions on planting and the future care of trees purchased from Allwood Trees Ltd.

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Preparation

Choose a location for your tree, making sure there is enough room for when the tree gets big.

Dig a hole twice the size of tree’s container, removing clay into a separate pile.  Keep sides of hole straight & bottom of hole flat.  If soil in hole is dry, soak with water before planting.  Backfill the hole with good soil or compost. Finished height for the root ball should be flush with existing ground level.

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Planting

For a tree in a bag; place tree gently in the hole at correct depth.  Make sure the root ball of tree is moist before planting.  Hold the tree by the bag and not the stem. Cut right around base with a sharp knife. Once tree is in position and upright, cut off the bag sides and remove.

For a tree in a Europot; lean the tree over and slide the pot off the root ball. Once the pot is removed, roll the tree gently into the hole. Try not to disturb the roots.

The tree should now be in position so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding garden.  Then back-fill the hole with good loose soil around the root ball.  Gently use your heel to compact the soil around the plant.

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Staking

This is essential.

Bang your stakes into the ground ensuring they are deep and sturdy.   Make sure your stakes are outside the root ball and are facing into the dominant prevailing wind for your area.  The stakes should be on a slight outward angle so that once the tree tie is secured the stakes will hold tight.

Once the stakes are in place, use tree tie to secure your tree to the stakes.  Tie one end of the tree tie to one of the stakes; making sure the knot is tight.  Run the tree tie out to the other stake and on your way back start twisting the tree tie over the first length until you get back to the first stake, making sure you twist around the tree but not too tight.  Once back at the first stake, tie the end of the tree tie to the stake.  Keep the tension on the stakes not the trees.

Stakes and ties should be left holding tree for at least two years after planting until roots are established.  Ties should be checked regularly during growing season to ensure they are not cutting into the tree.

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Watering

Water is the most important element of care. Too much or too little water after planting may cause plant loss. Try to water early morning or early evening so that the plants receive most of the water and to reduce water evaporation on hot days.

The site should be thoroughly watered after planting, even in winter.  Ensure the root ball and surrounding soil is moist. Monitor the soil; if rainfall is inadequate, deeply water the soil around the plant by leaving the hose trickling for 2 to 3 hours (or longer if required), on a regular basis.

After planting, the tree should still be watered on a regular basis till it is established. Water your tree every day for the first few days, then twice a week, then once a week, with about a bucket full (20 litre) of water each time.  It can take up to six months for a tree to become established and during this time you will need to monitor it. Most trees will let you know when they need watering – the leaves will wilt or lose their sheen etc. If you are unsure whether you need to water, dig a small hole near the roots to inspect the moisture level.

Slow trickle watering is recommended to ensure the whole root ball gets water. 

Refrain from watering deciduous trees as soon as the leaves start dropping in autumn and cease during whole dormant period.  Resume during spring when buds start to burst.  Do not over water your tree.  It is just as bad to over water as to under water.  If tree roots are water logged for sustained periods, they rot and therefore cannot support the leaf matter in the tree canopy. (Your tree may need watering a little less often if spring is wet).

On a hot day one square metre of bare soil can lose up to 2 litres of water.  Cover the root zone area with 75mm to 100mm of either bark mulch or pea straw (don’t use lawn clippings).  This will assist with water retention and also reduce weeds.

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Fertiliser

No fertiliser or manure is to be mixed with the soil at planting, as this may cause root damage.  Apply fertiliser to the soil surface and water in. Use compost instead of manure.

Fertilize your tree in spring and autumn.  Slow release general garden fertiliser or Nitrophoska Blue is recommended. Rates of application vary according to the tree size and ground area to cover.  Only apply fertiliser as per manufacturer’s instructions.

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Warranty

We take the greatest care and pride in producing trees to be of merchantable quality and to be true to name and description, however no warranty, implied or expressed can be given as to description or performance.

Allwood Trees Ltd has no control over a tree’s physical environment once it leaves the nursery therefore we cannot warrant growth. Allwood Trees Ltd does not undertake to replace failures.