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How to Plant a Tree in Honor of a Loved One

by Lorri Amsden

  • Overview

    Trees help the environment and improve air quality by producing oxygen as they remove carbon dioxide. Trees provide beauty and offer protection from the sun, wind and rain, as well as enhance privacy of a space. Trees provide shelter for birds and animals, and they foster feelings of peace and serenity. Planting a tree to honor a loved one is a wonderful gesture that heals as it provides solace and beautifies space. By planting a tree you are tapping into the ancient customs of honoring nature and the earth.

  • Selecting a Tree

 

  • Step 1

    Consider environmental factors when selecting a tree, including the types of trees that will thrive in your climate zone's high and low temperatures and your area's soil type.

  • Step 2

    Consider the maintenance your tree will require. Will the tree you've selected require watering and if so how often? Do you want a deciduous tree or an evergreen? Are you going to want to rake up leaves in the fall? Do you want flowers or fruit?

  • Step 3

    Make a list of the features you want in a tree and visit your local nursery. For this project to be successful, you should choose a tree that will thrive in your soil, climate zone and in the spot where you plan to plant it. The people at your local nursery will be able to suggest a tree that will work for you.

  • Planting Your Tree

    • Step 1

      Dig a hole. Use a gardening pick and a shovel to dig a hole three times wider than the tree's root ball. Do not make the hole too deep. You want to plant the tree the same depth as it was planted in the pot. If you bury the trunk deeper, the tree will rot. Remove all grass and weeds from the soil you are going to return to the hole. Break up any dirt clods.

    • Step 2

      Remove the tree from its pot and set it in the hole, being careful not to disturb the root ball, to avoid shocking your tree. Stand back and see how it looks. Adjust it to face the way you want and so it is standing straight.

    • Step 3

      Return the soil to the hole and firmly press around the tree to eliminate any air pockets that will damage the roots. Keep the tree standing straight during this process.

    • Step 4

      Form a berm around the hole with the excess soil. This will help hold water and direct it toward the roots. Now water until you have created a small pond around the tree. Ideally this reservoir should hold 1 inch of water. Allow the water to soak into the soil. Let the soil dry between watering. Soils should not be saturated for long periods of time. Too much water will suffocate the roots and cause them to rot. Depending on your climate and the month in which you planted this tree, you may need to water as much as once a week, in the absence of rain, until the roots have developed. In a very young tree this could be as long as three years. Check with your local nursery for watering guidelines.

    • Step 5

      Support the tree until the roots have established. Ideally one stake should be placed on either side of your tree, and your tree secured with flat grommet straps. If you can not find straps, sections of garden hose can be used. Keep the rope from rubbing against the young tree's bark, which can cause damage and lead to disease. With your hammer, pound the stakes vertically at least 2 feet into the ground. Thread the rope through the straps or hose. Lace the strap or hose piece around tree and anchor to the stake. Stakes are temporary and should be removed after two years.
    • 2
    • Garden pick Shovel Hose or bucket for watering Tree Hammer 2 tree stakes 2 flat grommet straps or 2 18-inch pieces garden hose 50-foot package of 3/8-inch diameter twisted nylon & polyester rope
    • Garden pick
    • Shovel
    • Hose or bucket for watering
    • Tree
    • Hammer
    • 2 tree stakes
    • 2 flat grommet straps or 2 18-inch pieces garden hose
    • 50-foot package of 3/8-inch diameter twisted nylon & polyester rope
    • Too much of a chemical can kill a tree, and all soil has a history. If you plan to work with fertilizers you should take a sample of your soil and have it analyzed to see what chemicals it contains and what it is lacking. Mulching with organic matter is a good way to improve soil, but you need to know about your soil to do this correctly. Check with your local nursery for more information.
    • Too much of a chemical can kill a tree, and all soil has a history. If you plan to work with fertilizers you should take a sample of your soil and have it analyzed to see what chemicals it contains and what it is lacking.
    • Mulching with organic matter is a good way to improve soil, but you need to know about your soil to do this correctly. Check with your local nursery for more information.
    • It is not recommended to fill the hole with water before working. Working wet soil changes its consistency and will cause negative effects that may last for several years.
    • It is not recommended to fill the hole with water before working. Working wet soil changes its consistency and will cause negative effects that may last for several years.

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