Planting a tree in your yard can make a huge improvement in the appearance of your yard and can offer you many additional benefits.  After you have spent time and money picking out the perfect tree for your yard, you will want to make sure that your tree is properly planted and care for in order for it to thrive in it’s new location.  Here are some helpful tree planting tips to make sure your tree has the best start:

1. The first step is to pick a good location for your tree.  The location and tree you choose will depend on the amount of sun the tree needs and the amount of sun that the location gets.  In addition, think about how big the tree will grow and the type of drainage that it will need. 
2. Next, it is time to dig a hole for the tree.  The hole should be twice as big as the tree’s width and a few inches deeper than the height of the root ball.  Use a rounded-tip shovel like the Round Point Shovel With 30 in. D-Grip Wood Handle to cut into the soil and scoop out the dirt.  You may also want to use a wheelbarrow or a tarp to place the dirt into while shoveling to make it easier for you to shovel the dirt back into the hole. 
3. Place the tree in the hole and fill in the hole with dirt.  It is not a good idea to fill in the hole with soil that is rich in organic matter because you want to encourage the roots to spread and grow to get additional nutrients.  Use the dirt from the ground to fill in the hole.  Make sure that the tree is placed at the same level that it was growing at before being transplanted.  You may also want to have someone hold the tree up right as you fill in the hole with dirt to help it grow straighter.
4. Water your new tree well to help set the soil and water the roots.  Since new trees need lots of water when starting off, it is a good idea to create a basin around the tree and add mulch to catch rain water or water from the hose and help keep the soil and roots hydrated.  
5. Lastly, add one or more tree stakes to help your new tree grow straight and help keep it stable.