Plant a tree correctly: pick the right spot, dig a proper hole, stake it well, and water generously for healthy establishment.
PT-01Choose the right spot and treeThink about the tree's height and spread in 10-20 years, not how small it looks in the pot now. Keep it at least 3m from the house, drains or underground pipes, and more for a large species. Check the spot isn't waterlogged and gets the right amount of sun for your chosen tree. Bare-root trees are sold loose, without soil, from November to March; container-grown trees are available all year but cost more.
PT-02Check for Tree Preservation Orders and nesting birdsIf planting means cutting back a shrub or overhanging branch to clear space, check first whether your garden is in a conservation area or whether a nearby tree has a Tree Preservation Order — working on a tree with a Tree Preservation Order without the council's consent is a criminal offence, and so is working on a tree in a conservation area without giving the council six weeks' written notice first. See HomeGraft's guide 'Can I cut down or prune a tree with a tree preservation order?' before you cut anything. Check carefully for active birds' nests too; damaging one is an offence, and the main nesting season runs roughly March to August, so avoid cutting then if you can. You can cut a neighbour's overhanging branch back to the boundary line from your own side without entering their garden, and it's good manners to offer the cuttings back — see HomeGraft's high hedge rules guide if a neighbour's hedge itself is the actual problem.
RULESKNOW THE RULES
TPO trees need the council's consent, and trees in a conservation area need six weeks' written notice first. Skipping either is a criminal offence. Damaging or destroying an active bird's nest is also an offence.
PT-03Check for buried pipes and cables before you digUnderground pipes and cables can run anywhere in a garden, especially near the house, a driveway or a manhole cover. If you're planting close to the building, use a cable and pipe locator or check your supplier's plans first. Find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns, so you can shut the water off fast if you ever strike a pipe. Dig the first spade's depth carefully by hand and stop straight away if you feel or see anything unexpected.
PT-04Prepare the treeFor a bare-root tree, stand the roots in a bucket of water for 1-2 hours before planting — don't let them dry out in the air. For a container-grown tree, water it well, then ease it out of the pot and gently loosen the roots around the edge of the root ball with your fingers. Trim off any damaged, dead or tightly circling roots with secateurs.
PT-05Dig the planting holeDig a hole about twice the width of the root ball or pot, and the same depth — no deeper. Fork over the base and sides of the hole to loosen the soil so new roots can spread out. Mix a shovel of garden compost into the soil you've dug out, and sprinkle mycorrhizal fungi into the hole if you're using it, following the pack instructions.
1 50L bag · Multi-purpose compost 1 60g sachet · Mycorrhizal fungi PT-06Position and plant the treeLower the tree into the hole and lay a cane across the top to check the old soil mark on the trunk (or the top of the root ball) sits level with the surrounding ground — don't bury the trunk. Backfill in stages, firming gently with your heel as you go to remove air pockets, without compacting the soil hard. Water well once the hole is completely filled.
PT-07Stake and tie the treeKnock a short stake in at an angle, about 450mm into firm ground, so it reaches roughly a third of the tree's height. Fix it close to the trunk with an adjustable rubber tree tie, leaving room for the trunk to flex and thicken as it grows. Check and loosen the tie every few months.
1 each · Tree stake, 1.2m 1 each · Adjustable rubber tree tie PT-08Water in and mulchWater thoroughly straight after planting — around 2 full watering cans, about 20 litres, for a young tree. Spread a 50-75mm layer of mulch or bark chip in a ring around the base, keeping it clear of the trunk itself to stop the bark rotting.
PT-09Tidy up and start aftercareClear away offcuts, empty bags and tools, and offer any cuttings from step 2 back to your neighbour if you took them. Water the new tree twice a week in dry weather for the first two growing seasons, more during a heatwave. Check the stake and tie each spring, and remove the stake completely after 2-3 years once the tree is established.
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