Article Summary
Tree pit: 2x as wide as the original root ball. Depth of the pit according to the original root ball.
Irrigation: 1 irrigation dose of 100-120% of the root ball volume.
Mulch: cover the surface of the ground with bark or wood chips
Fertilisation: Slow dissolving fertilisers
Tree pit: min. 2 times as wide as the original root ball of the tree. The bottom of the hole should be slightly overwatered. The walls of the planting hole are broken up so that they do not act as an impassable barrier to the roots. The bottom of the planting hole must not be smooth and compacted, it must be disturbed.
On soils with a higher clay content, it is not recommended to use an auger to excavate the pits for this reason.
The depth of the hole should not be greater than the height of the root ball or root system of the tree (root collar). If the soil is very heavy, drainage should also be considered.
Start of planting: Irrigation is carried out in the open hole when planting. When irrigating, the soil is saturated with water gradually so as to minimise the formation of air spaces, but not to make it waterlogged. The recommended volume corresponds to one irrigation dose. The volume of water used per irrigation dose shall be set between 100-120 % of the root ball volume.
Backfill soil: The most sandy part of the soil obtained during excavation is used to backfill the area near the roots. For heavy and compacted soils, you can enrich the soil with mieneral or organic components, which must be mixed with the original soil. Permeability in heavy soils can be improved by adding sand or mineral substrate.
Mycorrhizal fungi: I recommend applying mycorrhizal fungi in the planting hole and on the root ball, which will help the tree throughout its life: https://www.sekvoje.sk/p/symbivit-mykorhiza-750g/ Use the symbivite type.
Mulching: It is advisable to mulch planted trees with an 80 - 100 mm thick layer of mulch material, which must not be in direct contact with the trunk.
Irrigation: An irrigation basin must be made at the end of planting. The irrigation rate is derived from the volume of the root ball. The volume of water used per irrigation dose shall be set between 100-120 % of the root ball volume.
The frequency of irrigation must be derived from the type and characteristics of the soil (also take into account the mulch, which retains moisture in the soil). Minimum. However, for mature trees with balled trees, it is carried out at intervals of 7-14 days during the first year after planting. In subsequent years after planting, the irrigation interval is extended by 100 % for each additional year after planting.
Fertilisation: I recommend the use of slow-soluble fertilisers, which will supply nutrients evenly. After 15 August it is inappropriate to use fertilisers with a nitrogen content greater than 5 %.