How to Plant a Tree

First - Choose the Planting site and ask the Permission

This is an important first step. The reason why this step is first is because everything you do might depend on where you are going to plant your tree. For example, if you want to plant a tree in a park, you first need to find out who manages the park (is this a city park, state park, private, etc.) and ask their permission to plant a tree. They might say "yes, you can plant a tree but we can only plant certain kinds of trees" - for example some parks will only plant native trees (trees that have historically grown in the area) or they might have a tree planting plan that identifies historically grown in the area) or they might have a tree planting plan that identifies the type of trees to be planted. Or, you might be planting a tree near power and telephone wires so in selecting a tree you would want one that would not grow tall or fast (a dogwood tree for example). You might even want to replace a tree that has been destroyed by lightening or killed by disease. Replacing the tree with the same kind of a tree would be nice.

In selecting a site, remember, our communities and cities need and have an ongoing need - to have trees planted by people. That's because life is hard in the city for a tree: trees that might grow from seeds are cut by lawn mowers, sidewalks prevent water absorption by trees plus the added work of cleaning the air of auto emissions makes survival tough for trees. So the cities and town really need more trees!

Once you have identified where you would like to plant a tree, you need to ask permission from the owner or the manager of the property. This person might be a state forester, park ranger or the principal at your school. This rule even applies if you want to plant a tree in your yard at home - you still need to ask for permission of your parents.

Second - Get a Tree

You might be able to have a tree donated for your project or you might need to raise funds to purchase a tree. Check with your state or community forester to see if they have any programs where they give away trees for tree planting projects. Also, ask for their advice on the types of trees to plant in the area where you live - different trees are native to different states, and native trees will thrive better after planting.

If you are not able to get a tree donated, don't fret - you can raise the money you need to purchase a tree. Contact the manager at your local Wal-Mart or a business at busy intersection and ask permission to do a car wash or bake sale to raise money. Offer to clean litter for a fee from the parking lot after a football game. Collect aluminum cans in the classrooms and cash the cans in for money at the end of a month. Sell T-shirts. You might even be able to raise enough money to plant several trees!

Take care of the newly planted tree - and this means water and mulch around your tree. (The tree will be thirsty after it is planted, so deeply water it each week (2 to 3 gallons) for the first year. If Mother Nature happens to water your tree during the week, then don't worry about watering that week - Mother nature is the best source for water)

Give your tree a "mulch blanket." A mulch blanket is a 2- to 4-inch covering of rotten leaves, wood chips, pine straw or shredded bark that will insulate the growd, decrease the amount of weeds that will grow around your tree, keeps moisture around the roots and provides food for your tree. Make sure that the mulch blanket is not piled up on and touching the base of the tree but has a little space between the tree and where the mulch begins - you simply might need to push some of the mulch back from the bottom of the tree.