Planting Instructions for Advanced Trees
Success with your new plants and advanced tree specimens begins with proper preparation and planting technique. The following guidelines outline best practices to ensure healthy establishment and long-term thriving. While this advice is general in nature, professional installation is recommended for the larger advanced bag sizes.
Water your plants thoroughly while they remain in their current pots or bags. For optimal results, soak the entire rootball in a bucket of water several hours before planting. This ensures the soil is fully hydrated and the roots are well-established with moisture - critical preparation for the planting process.
Prepare your garden beds with organic material such as a quality compost or aged animal manure. Using a garden fork, work the organic matter thoroughly into the existing soil. This enriches the soil structure, improves drainage, and provides nutrients for healthy establishment.
Avoid compacting soil by walking or standing on prepared garden beds. The soil must remain light, airy, and open-textured to allow root penetration and healthy establishment. Compacted soil restricts root development and inhibits drainage, both detrimental to plant success.
Ensure adequate soil depth for proper root development. Built-up garden beds and retaining wall systems are excellent options if your existing soil depth is limited. Deep, quality soil provides the foundation for healthy, vigorous growth and long-term plant performance.
Dig planting holes wider rather than deep. The ideal width should be approximately twice the diameter of the root ball, with depth equal to the root ball height. Wider holes encourage lateral root development—the primary growth pattern for most tree root systems. For hedge plantings or planting many plants in a row, a trench can be dug instead of individual holes.
Approximate root ball dimensions by Bag/Pot Size
| Container Size | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 400mm pot | 40cm | 32cm |
| 45L bag | 38cm | 40cm |
| 75L bag | 47cm | 44cm |
| 100L bag | 53cm | 46cm |
| 200L bag | 69cm | 55cm |
| 400L bag | 88cm | 65cm |
Note: Bag dimensions vary by bag manufacturer. Measurements provided are approximate.
Drainage assessment is critical to long-term plant health. Test your prepared hole by filling it with water and observing drainage for approximately one hour. If water drains completely, drainage is excellent. If approximately half remains, drainage is fair. If significant water persists, drainage is poor and requires improvement.
Carefully remove your plant from its pot or bag. If a stake supports your plant, leave it in place as the plant will require this support during establishment. Inspect the root ball for circling roots (roots growing in circular patterns around the perimeter). If present, perform light root pruning by slicing approximately 1-2 inches from the sides and bottom of the root ball using a sharp spade or clean knife. This stimulates outward root growth.
Begin planting by adding a layer of compost or aged animal manure to the bottom of the prepared hole. Position your specimen so the top of the root ball sits at existing soil level, neither higher nor lower. This prevents root exposure and collar rot.
Fill the hole three-quarters full with soil, firm it gently, then water deeply to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Continue filling the hole with remaining soil and provide a second deep watering.
Apply a layer of organic mulch to your garden beds but maintain a clear zone of 1-2 inches (or more) around the tree trunk. Mulch piled against the trunk can trap moisture and cause collar rot which is a serious condition affecting tree health.
When applied correctly, organic mulch functions as a natural insulator, enriches soil over time, suppresses weed growth, reduces water evaporation, and retains soil moisture. Quality mulch is an investment in your planting's long-term success.
Post-planting watering is critical during the first growing season. Focus water application directly onto the root ball using deep watering practices rather than frequent, shallow watering. Surface watering is ineffective and promotes shallow root development.
Optimal Watering Methods:
- Drip irrigation system placed directly on the root ball (most effective)
- Soaker hose positioned at the root ball
- Garden hose set to slow trickle for 2+ hours
Watering Frequency: Water deeply twice weekly rather than daily shallow watering. This schedule may require adjustment during extremely hot periods. Water during cooler parts of the day -early morning is ideal, ensuring water reaches the root zone rather than foliage.
You've completed the preparation and planting. It's now time relax and watch your specimens establish and thrive! With proper foundational care, your new trees will develop strong root systems and begin the long journey of bringing beauty and function to your gardens.
Learn From Expert Growers
Watch this informative video from one of our Melbourne-based growers demonstrating proper advanced tree planting techniques:
View Planting VideoProfessional Installation Note: The above guidance represents general planting principles. If you are uncertain about any aspect of planting or are installing very large advanced bag sizes, we strongly recommend engaging a qualified gardener or landscaper to manage the site preparation and planting for you. Professional installation ensures optimal results with premium specimens.
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