TRANSPORTATION
Trees and shrubs should be covered during transportation to avoid being dried out by the wind. We recommend that you bring burlap or a tarp to protect your plants during transportation.

INSTALLATION
The best time to install a tree or shrub is in the spring. The second best time is in the fall. The longer a plant has to root out into the surrounding soil, before freezing soil temperatures occur, the better its chances of survival.

Select a site that will provide for water drainage away from the plant. Avoid planting in a valley or depression. They can hold water and drown the plant's roots (roots need to breath too!).

Dig a hole two to three times the diameter of the root ball, but not any deeper. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. If you dug deeper than the height of the pot, the bottom of the hole should be packed with quality topsoil. If you don’t pack the soil beneath the root ball, the plant will settle and become lower than the surrounding soil. This can cause the plant to become stressed and die.

Remove the pot from your plant. This is best accomplished with two people, one to hold the plant and another to pull the pot from the plant. You may need to push on the bottom of the pot while pulling on the lip to aid in dislodging the pot from the root ball. Pulling the pot from the plant, rather than pulling the plant out of the pot, puts less stress on the plant. If you can't remove the pot by pulling, try cutting it off with a utility knife.

Backfill with quality topsoil. The better your soil is, the faster your plant will grow. You can amend your existing topsoil with organic matter such as compost or peat moss. Use peat moss if the plant prefers an acid soil, or compost for a neutral soil. Organic matter amendments should be limited to 20% of the backfill.

MULCHING
It is recommended that you mulch around your plants on the soil surface to help regulate soil temperature, conserve moisture, aid in weed control and amend the soil over time. Mulching also protects the plants from lawn mower damage to the trunk. Two or three inches (depth) of mulch is sufficient. Be sure to use a seasoned or composted mulch (fresh materials can be too acidic and can steal nutrients away from or burn your plants).

WATERING
Trees and shrubs should be watered during the first growing season, and during periods of drought in future years. Water as needed to keep the soil moist (not too dry or soggy wet). Watch the plant's leaves for wilting (if they wilt, curl or change color, the soil may be too dry or too wet). Even if it rains, you still need to check the soil for adequate moisture. If you are unsure how moist the soil is, try digging a small hole next to the root ball. If you see soggy soil or water in the hole, reduce watering frequency.

Plants take up water during the day, so its best to water in the morning. A soaker hose or drip irrigation buckets are the easiest way to ensure adequate irrigation. Whatever method you choose, be sure the water penetrates deep into the soil to encourage the roots to grow down rather than along the surface.