What is tree planting compost?
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Planting trees is a long-term future investment, it's worth taking your time to make sure the groundwork is taken care of at the beginning. Choosing the right compost for the job means the trees have the best chance of flourishing in future.What is tree planting compost?
Tree-planting compost is like a soil improver and it is meant for working into the ground before plantingtrees and shrubs, as an alternative to regular garden compost. Specific tree planting composts have been fortified with nutrients to aid with establishment and growth.
When worked into the ground it aids the successful establishment of newly planted trees and shrubs by slowly releasing the nutrients on a long-term basis the trees need to mature. This specialist compost adds valuable organic matter and helps to aid with drainage to ensure the roots are getting the nutrients they need. Effectively, tree planting compost gives young trees a helping hand and makes sure they get the best start in life.
How to use tree planting compost?
Depending on the product you are using, some will ask for the mixture to be added to soil or rotavate into the soil and others can be used as a mulch. Below are the products that we supply and how to use them.Melcourt SylvaGrow Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost:
• Excavate a planting pit several sizes larger than root ball.
• Blend SylvaGrow with the excavated soil, taking care not to smear the edges or base of the planting pit.
Normal soil (loam) 1 part Melcourt SylvaGrow to 4 parts soil.
Difficult soil (sand & clay) : 1 part Melcourt SylvaGrow to 3 parts soil
For best results, apply a mulch from Melcourt’s range of Landscape Mulches.
Sinclair Tree & Shrub Planting Medium:
Use as a planting compost as well as a soil conditioner or mulch - this is a peat-based compost prepared from rich dark peat with high buffer capacity and high moisture retention for use when planting out into the ground.
How to plant trees
Once you have chosen your tree planting compost it's time to start planting,1. Dig the hole - it should be nearly as deep as the tree’s root ball and three times as wide. Don’t plant your tree or shrub too deep as it will die.
2. Prepare the hole – disturb the soil around the base and sides of the hole if it is compacted. A garden fork is ideal for this.
3. Remove the plant from the container – soaking the pot before planting will dampen the roots and make it easier to remove from the pot.
4. Tease out the roots – where coiled around the pot, gently pull the roots out to encourage them to grow into the soil.
5. Position your plant – plant high, with up to 25% of the root ball higher than the surrounding soil level.
6. Backfill the hole with soil – fill around the roots and generously taper up to cover all roots.
7. Eliminate air pockets – add water to the hole after backfilling halfway to eliminate air pockets. This will reduce the chance of dead roots.
8. Mulch – add approximately 2 inches of mulch on the dug-up area.
9. Install tree stakes for support – tie these loosely using a stake tie.
10. Water – for the first year, new trees will need watering 2 to 3 times per week, then weekly thereafter in dry months.
2. Prepare the hole – disturb the soil around the base and sides of the hole if it is compacted. A garden fork is ideal for this.
3. Remove the plant from the container – soaking the pot before planting will dampen the roots and make it easier to remove from the pot.
4. Tease out the roots – where coiled around the pot, gently pull the roots out to encourage them to grow into the soil.
5. Position your plant – plant high, with up to 25% of the root ball higher than the surrounding soil level.
6. Backfill the hole with soil – fill around the roots and generously taper up to cover all roots.
7. Eliminate air pockets – add water to the hole after backfilling halfway to eliminate air pockets. This will reduce the chance of dead roots.
8. Mulch – add approximately 2 inches of mulch on the dug-up area.
9. Install tree stakes for support – tie these loosely using a stake tie.
10. Water – for the first year, new trees will need watering 2 to 3 times per week, then weekly thereafter in dry months.
Tree planting aftercare
Regularly water to give the roots a good soaking but distribute the water around a wider circumference area to avoid flooding the roots. In the summer you could invest in a Treegator Drip Irrigation Bag used by landscape gardeners and local authorities throughout the UK.Maintain your trees with regular mulching, this discourages weeds from growing and competing for nutrients while keeping the soil temperature consistent.
To give your trees an extra boost of growth, use a general fertiliser in late winter or early spring.
Tree Planting Essentials
Sinclair Tree & Shrub Compost Peat Reduced
`A peat-based compost specifically designed for preparing soil for planting out nursery stocks. This is a professional soil improver that can absorb acid without affecting pH.SHOP NOW
Melcourt SylvaGrow Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost
Melcourt SylvaGrow is a rich, free flowing, carefully formulated planting compost for effective establishment in garden soils. 100% peat-free and containing balanced slow-release nutrients.SHOP NOW
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