How to plant trees: Tips to growing and maintaining forested land

There are plenty of reasons why planting a tree might be important to you.

Perhaps it’s your family’s business? Or you’re reforesting a previously deforested area? Or maybe you have just bought a piece of rural property and want to try your hand at running a woodlot?

Regardless, there are plenty of lessons you should learn before you start planting, about what species are best and how to help newly planted trees survive and flourish. The care and maintenance required for a newly planted tree include proper planting techniques, such as digging an appropriate hole size, ensuring adequate watering and drainage, and providing protection from potential threats like animals and improper pruning.

We've accumulated some advice here, with the help of the Ontario Woodlot Association, to help you out.

One of the most important things you can do when selecting the right tree to start the planting process is to pick a species that is native to your area.

Non-native species may not grow properly in your soil conditions or climate, and may have difficulty establishing themselves in your area. Furthermore, planting new species to your area risks inviting invasive species into your environment, bringing pests, disease and other potentially harmful impacts with them.

Most provinces, territories and states will share which species are the right trees for planting in your area. Then you must use your knowledge of the existing soil to further refine what species is best and what your intent is behind planting.

Are you planting to:

• • Reforest and restore a previously area

  • Grow a tree lot and use it to make money

  • Hoping to raise the aesthetic value of your property

Each of these will require planting trees of different species and potentially diversifying your selection. For example:

Reforesting: You will want to choose a diverse selection of tree species to promote biodiversity. Forests are naturally made of many different species of plant life, from trees, shrubs and flowers, to animals like birds and rodents. Check to see what species your local conservation authority suggests for your area.

Woodlot: If you are growing a woodlot you will likely want to grow a small selection of tree species. Some woodlot owners will raise just a single species, while others will grow multiple and space them apart from each other. Popular species include sugar maple, American beech, white spruce, balsam fir and more.

Aesthetics: If you're planning to grow trees to improve the aesthetics of your property, selecting beautiful local species is important. You can also select species which have a positive impact on local fauna, such as fruit-bearing trees like crabapple or flowering dogwood.

Different tree species also react differently to soil conditions. The two primary types that make up most tree species you want to look out for include:

Conifers: Also known as evergreens, these trees have needles and don't drop their leaves during the winter. These trees grow year-round, and prefer dry, well-drained soil.

Deciduous: These trees do drop their leaves in the fall, and require more nutritious and moist soil compared to conifers.

Knowing the right soil conditions is key for planting trees. Tree roots are very susceptible to their environment, so if the species isn’t compatible with the moisture of the soil, then any trees planted may suffer stress which could lead to the seedling's death. Setting up optimal conditions means priming your trees for the best root growth so they can establish themselves and begin the process of growing.

According to the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA), there are four important elements to understanding your soil and setting it up for growing season:

Soil texture: Whether your soil is dry and rocky or wet and soft, these are conditions which will affect any trees planted. “Coarser soils like sand tend to be less fertile than finer soils like clays and loams,” says the OWA. “However, more effort is required to control competing vegetation on fertile soils because it is usually much more vigorous.”

Soil drainage: Preparing to plant your root ball or bare root seedlings means knowing how your soil reacts to rain and precipitation. “Avoid planting on very wet land and plan for some type of drainage improvement through ditching or mounding if your site is wet or spongy for even part of the year,” says the OWA. But also keeping the soil moist to support root development, especially in hot or windy weather, is crucial for the tree's establishment and health.

Vegetation: Having more plant species on your land means more roots soaking up moisture, and greater biodiversity. Think about featuring smaller plants like shrubs or grasses in between planted trees.

Site assessment: It’s always recommended to log your soil’s characteristics and record your planting plan in advance, so you can refer back to it throughout the tree planting process.

The process of tree planting can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of work depending in the quantity of trees planted and how much area you plan on covering. There are multiple types of tree seedlings you can use as you begin your planting process.

Bare root trees: These plants are grown in the ground and, during the tree planting process, the roots are loose.

Root ball trees: These plants are often cultivated in a pot and have roots and dirt wound up, either naturally through the cultivation process or via a biodegradable fabric (make sure to check the material will decay in the ground before planting. If not remove this material beforehand).

Once you have your trees, your land and your tools ready, here are the steps for planting trees, according to the OWA:

Caring for newly planted trees is essential to ensure they establish strong roots and grow healthily. During the first year after planting, water your trees regularly. Newly planted trees need consistent moisture to support root development, especially during dry spells.

Mulching around the base of the tree helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use organic mulch and spread it in a layer about 2-4 inches thick, but keep it away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Fertilize your newly planted trees with a slow-release, non-burning organic fertilizer. This provides essential nutrients without overwhelming the young tree. Pruning is also important; remove any broken branches and shape the tree to promote healthy growth.

Keep an eye on your trees for signs of stress, disease, or pests. Early detection and prompt action can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.

Planting a tree is a rewarding experience, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can hinder its growth. One common error is planting the tree too deeply. This can cause root rot and other problems. Make sure the root collar is at the soil surface.

Another mistake is not providing enough space for the tree’s mature size and root system. Crowded trees can struggle to grow properly. Ensure there’s ample room for the tree to expand.

Failing to water newly planted trees regularly can lead to drought stress. Consistent watering is crucial, especially during the first year. Similarly, not mulching around the tree can result in soil erosion and weed growth. Mulch helps retain moisture and protect the tree.

Finally, avoid pruning newly planted trees too heavily. Over-pruning can stress the tree and reduce its growth. Prune only to remove broken branches and shape the tree.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can give your new tree the best chance to thrive and grow into a healthy, mature tree.

While it's recommended you pick ideal conditions for growing your own forest, organic mulch may be helpful in furthering along the growing process. Woodlot owners especially value fast growing trees and encourage speedy development so they can get a return on investment for their work.

As your trees grow you may see broken branches and other organic refuse. It's up to you whether you want to leave it or clean it up. The advantages to both include:

Cleaning up organic debris: This makes for a more aesthetically pleasing environment, reduces tripping hazards and prevents rodents and other potentially harmful species from moving around as easily.

Leaving organic debris: This is the healthier option for promoting wildlife and forest biodiversity, as rotting forest matter refreshes the nutrients in the ground to promote growth. It also creates habitats and hiding spots for forest animals, improving the overarching forest ecology.

In the end it's dependent on your goals with your forested land and what objectives you want your planted trees to achieve. New trees can provide substantive benefits to your property, but it's up to you to decide how they grow and what shape your forested land will take.

Whether your forest is carefully curated for specific goals, or you encourage nature to take its own course, there are lots of reasons to plant new trees and reforest areas. A lot of the natural environment has been lost to deforestation and that's had tremendous impacts on tree life as well as protected species. But keeping in mind healthy growing habits and how to plant trees in the best way will promote new growth and re-energize the land for future generations.

The Ontario Woodlot Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting owners of privately owned forests and is committed to sustainability. Its members promote, through education and mentorship, the benefits of a healthy ecosystem thereby increasing the enjoyment of our forests. For more information visit their website. You can also read more on this topic here.