ONCE PLANTS ARE RECEIVED:

• Wet the roots immediately.
• Plant the trees as soon as possible.
• If you cannot plant immediately, keep the trees moist and cool until you can plant.
• DO NOT let the plants freeze.
• Cover roots with mulch or sand if time before planting exceeds a week or more.

TO PLANT :

• Dig a hole larger than the root system and place seedling or tree the same depth as it was growing at the nursery. We recommend putting a slow-release fertilizer packet at the bottom of the hole and then covering it with 1-inch of soil before planting the seedling (two packets for older trees).
• After the first year, you should fertilize in early spring with Osmocote® Classic 18-6-12.
• If rain is inadequate, water trees at least once a week.
• Mast-producing trees and shrubs like the sun. Try to plant in full sun.

  

SPACING:

• Space nut/acorn trees about 30 feet apart.
• Space fruit trees about 20 feet apart.
• Space shrubs about 6-7 feet apart.

MULCH:

• Mulch around the tree about 4” deep for weed and moisture control.
• Additional weed control will be needed in wet years.
• Mulching is extremely important to retain moisture around the tree in dry years.

DEER PROTECTION:

• Deer can cause severe damage, especially to fruit trees.
• Plantra tree tubes and bark protectors are recommended for all seedlings and older, larger trees.
• For bushier types of trees and shrubs, we recommend some type of cage or fence to protect from deer.
  
  

PRUNING:

• All fruit trees benefit from having sunlight penetrate deep into the tree.
• Thinning the interior wood helps promote this.
• Cut out crossed and broken limbs in general.
• Remove about 1/3 of the limb’s length at time of planting for fruit trees.