Planting a tree in centre of lawn! [Merged]

Frank99

Any tips on planting my new bean tree in the middle of lawn, i like things perfectly in the centre so it is going to be difficult for me as a perfectionist, my other half does not like to measure she just dumps things in off centre.

Frank99

I am planting a 3 foot tree in the middle of a lawn and was planning to use a tape measure but a neighbour told me about those plastic mulch ring things but i was planning to just cut a square or circle and just put it in.
Any ideas how to get it in perfect!

oldernonethewiser

Frank99 said:

I am planting a 3 foot tree in the middle of a lawn and was planning to use a tape measure but a neighbour told me about those plastic mulch ring things but i was planning to just cut a square or circle and just put it in.
Any ideas how to get it in perfect!

Think you'll need a spade.  (sorry)

Here is some info

https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/review/tree-ring/

It is something you can use but it isn't a necessity

ArbitraryRandom

What do you mean by 'perfectly'? 

Do you mean perfectly in the middle of the lawn, or perfectly best for the tree's health etc, or cutting a perfect circle in the lawn, or something else? 

Whatever you do, mulching around the base of a tree is a good idea to help keep the roots cool and damp as they establish and to suppress weeds/grass which will compete with the tree for water and nutrients... but I wouldn't recommend putting ground up tyres on your lawn (I have no idea why anyone ever thought that was a good idea). 

If you get a bag of wood chips from somewhere like B&Q, it'll do the same PLUS will also feed the tree/improve the soil. 

twopenny

I'd dig your hole, square is trendy and sipposed to work better. If so why did none of the old estate workers find this? They planted enough trees    

I tease out the roots if it's been in a pot. Just a little otherwise they continue going round and not out.
Mix a little bonemeal in the soil taken out and shovel back in.
Step on the lose soil to harden it.
Water in throughly to ensure soil has gone into all roots and no air pockets

Always add a stake and secure tree too it. Use something soft between bark and tie.

Mine is still staked yrs on and I'm so glad as while it's in full leaf during these gales it's keeping it safely in the soil.

Emmia

twopenny said:

I'd dig your hole, square is trendy and sipposed to work better. If so why did none of the old estate workers find this? They planted enough trees    

I tease out the roots if it's been in a pot. Just a little otherwise they continue going round and not out.
Mix a little bonemeal in the soil taken out and shovel back in.
Step on the lose soil to harden it.
Water in throughly to ensure soil has gone into all roots and no air pockets

Always add a stake and secure tree too it. Use something soft between bark and tie.

Mine is still staked yrs on and I'm so glad as while it's in full leaf during these gales it's keeping it safely in the soil.

On Gardeners World a couple of weeks ago there was a no stake, tree staking form of planting and strengthening trees (birch in the case of the demo) - I'm sure it's probably available on iPlayer.

greenbee

Rootgrow on the roots too... 

twopenny

To stake or not to stake?
https://www.finegardening.com/article/to-stake-or-not-to-stake
Is the tree in a sheltered position?
Is it going to be in full leaf exposed to winds?

Mine in the front garden is exposed and has a stake 3" at the back so it has movement but cannot be blown over when in full leaf. It's an early leafing ornamental plum.

Apples at the sheltered back in corners have ties to the fence about a foot or so away. They arent as dense in leaf but room to move.

All are small trees.

Dustyevsky

Emmia said:

twopenny said:

I'd dig your hole, square is trendy and sipposed to work better. If so why did none of the old estate workers find this? They planted enough trees    

I tease out the roots if it's been in a pot. Just a little otherwise they continue going round and not out.
Mix a little bonemeal in the soil taken out and shovel back in.
Step on the lose soil to harden it.
Water in throughly to ensure soil has gone into all roots and no air pockets

Always add a stake and secure tree too it. Use something soft between bark and tie.

Mine is still staked yrs on and I'm so glad as while it's in full leaf during these gales it's keeping it safely in the soil.

On Gardeners World a couple of weeks ago there was a no stake, tree staking form of planting and strengthening trees (birch in the case of the demo) - I'm sure it's probably available on iPlayer.

Birches have a fairly thin canopy, so staking them may not be needed. It certainly isn't in the wild!

OTOH trees and shrubs that grow a wider, thicker canopy fast, may need staking, for a time at least.

Then there's soil type. We're on light, sandy soil, so an Acca with an evergreen canopy that wasn't staked initially, now has a stake because it was rocking itself out of the ground. Tights make an excellent tie for small trees like that.

No hard and fast rules.

Farway

Emmia said:

twopenny said:

I'd dig your hole, square is trendy and sipposed to work better. If so why did none of the old estate workers find this? They planted enough trees    

I tease out the roots if it's been in a pot. Just a little otherwise they continue going round and not out.
Mix a little bonemeal in the soil taken out and shovel back in.
Step on the lose soil to harden it.
Water in throughly to ensure soil has gone into all roots and no air pockets

Always add a stake and secure tree too it. Use something soft between bark and tie.

Mine is still staked yrs on and I'm so glad as while it's in full leaf during these gales it's keeping it safely in the soil.

On Gardeners World a couple of weeks ago there was a no stake, tree staking form of planting and strengthening trees (birch in the case of the demo) - I'm sure it's probably available on iPlayer.

Fads, fashions & ideas change all the time as research extends [and the cynical may say research money is spent]

Look at staking, once was a good stout upright post, now 45 degree into the wind, next week something else.

Was adding compost to the hole, now let the blighter starve and grow roots to find food

You can still use Dusty's tights, though.

RAS

Having recently had to relocate some trees...

Those that were potted prior to planting and rootbound barely developed any roots beyond the original rootball even if that was broken for planting. 
Those planted bareroot into square-ish holes (the ground was rubble strewn) had better root systems.

Most were still staked, lightly, but a couple on poorer rootstocks had blown over in last autumn's storms.

If you are using stakes, drive them in the ground upwind before planting as that avoids root damage, tie low to allow the canopy to sway in the wind which is supposed to encourage root production. Water well once a week in drought or hot weather, rather than little and often.