Tree planting advice!

[Harumphharagh]

Planting a crab apple (malus ‘evereste’) and a Rowan (sorbus ‘pink pagoda’) tomorrow!

Any advice? What should I put in the hole with them?

SO EXCITED, been waiting for ages to plant these, want to get it right.

Advice has changed in recent years concerning tree planting. First, get some Mycorrhizal fungi powder. Brand names include Rootgrow.

Now, dig a wide but shallow hole and don't put any manure in it. Sprinkle some MF powder on the actual root ball of the trees and sprinkle some in the hole too. I put the stake in before the tree see here for instructions: www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=208 Put the tree in and backfill with the dug out soil. Firm in with your foot all around the tree.

Make sure you water it in thoroughly after planting and keep it moist in the first year.

Thank you, I have the mycorrhizal fungi ready but need to get stakes... what would you fill it in with, compost or topsoil or a mix?

We are in Northern Ireland so no issues about keeping it moist!

I'd use a mixture of compost and topsoil.

Advice has changed in recent years concerning tree planting. First, get some Mycorrhizal fungi powder

Yes it has changed recently. Tests have found no advantage in using mychorhizal dips unless you are planting into man made soils.

Did a square pit the same depth as the rootball, don't break up the sides or bottom, plonk it in, refill and firm down the backfill, don't bother with compost in the mix unless you're on claggy clay soil. Make sure the root flare isn't buried. Water it then spread a layer of woodchip mulch to 1m from the base, keeping a clear area around the root collar. Then make sure you water it at least once a week with 10-20l of water, regardless of whether its raining or not, until September.