Digging a proper hole for a new tree may seem simple, but it’s an important first step to ensure your tree gets off to a good start. As an avid gardener, I’ve learned some key tips over the years on how to dig the best hole for strong root development and healthy tree growth. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know to dig the perfect tree planting hole.
Why Proper Hole Digging Matters
Digging a good hole for your new tree is about more than just sticking a shovel in the ground. It sets up your tree for success by promoting healthy root growth. The hole needs to be wide and deep enough to accommodate the entire root ball or root system. It should also have loose, nutrient-rich soil for the new roots to easily expand into.
Taking time to dig a proper tree hole makes a big difference down the road. Trees with restricted roots due to narrow holes or compacted soil never reach their full potential. They’re more prone to drought stress, disease, and blowover in storms. A well-dug hole gets your tree off to a vigorous start for a lifetime of beauty and benefits.
How Big to Dig the Hole
Lots of sources recommend digging a hole 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball. This extra width provides ample room for horizontal root growth. As a general guideline, follow these hole dimensions for different size trees:
- Small trees (up to 4 ft.): Dig a hole 2 ft. wide.
- Medium trees (5 – 10 ft.): Dig a 3 to 5 ft. wide hole.
- Large trees (over 10 ft.): At least 6 ft. wide.
The depth of the hole should match the root ball or root mass. Don’t dig too deep, as this can lead to sinking and improper planting depth. Measure from the root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) to bottom of the roots to determine the correct depth.
Amending the native soil with compost or other organic matter is also beneficial. Mix some into the bottom of the hole and backfill soil to improve moisture retention aeration, and nutrients.
How to Dig the Hole
Digging a perfectly sized, shaped, and located hole takes a little extra care Follow these tips for excellent results
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Outline the hole first. Mark the edges with string flour, or spray paint so you dig an accurate symmetrical hole.
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Excavate the center. Dig the middle portion of the hole first, then work outward from the center bottom.
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Roughen the sides. Scrape the sides and bottom with a pick or shovel to break up any smoothed or glazed areas. This encourages outward root growth.
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Add amendments. Mix any compost or organic matter into the native soil removed from the hole.
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Build a mound in center. Pile amended soil in the center to support the root ball and prevent settling.
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Check dimensions. Confirm the width, length, and depth are appropriate before placing the tree.
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Tamp soil lightly. After backfilling halfway, gently tamp the soil to stabilize the tree. Don’t over-pack it.
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Water thoroughly. Water the tree and entire backfilled area to settle soil. Check planting depth and adjust tree if needed.
Proper digging technique is also important to avoid compacting sides and bottom. Insert shovel straight down into soil and lift out, rather than scraping along the edges. Digging when soil is slightly moist makes the job easier too.
Digging Holes in Compacted Soil
Dense, compacted, or clay-heavy soil can make digging very difficult. Removing a cubic foot of heavy clay takes serious work! Here are some tips for dealing with rock-hard soils:
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Loosen the soil first. Use a pick to break up the ground before digging.
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Dig when soil is moist. Aim to dig after a rain or water the area well the day before.
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Lever shovel against sides. Force the shovel blade down against the side walls to break them up.
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Use an auger. An electric or manual auger bores perfect planting holes through compacted soil.
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Add lots of organic matter. Mix in extra compost to improve the soil texture for roots.
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Water deeply. Plan to water new trees 3-4 times per week for faster root establishment.
Amending native soil goes a long way in problem soils. Up to 50% compost mixed into the backfill creates ideal planting conditions.
Digging Holes on Slopes
Special considerations are needed when digging holes on hills, berms, and other sloped sites. A few guidelines will set your tree up for success.
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Dig a bowl-shaped hole, deeper on the downhill side. This stabilizes the root ball.
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Build up the downhill side with firmly packed soil to prevent sliding.
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Orient the tree with the roots flaring uphill to mimic growing conditions.
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Stake the tree for the first year until roots anchor the slope.
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Add wood chip mulch around the tree to conserve moisture.
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Water even more frequently, as drainage happens quickly on slopes.
With some extra care taken when digging, you can safely plant trees on steep terrain.
Let Those Roots Grow!
Once you have the perfectly sized and shaped hole dug, it’s go time! Carefully place your tree, backfill with amended native soil, water thoroughly, and mulch. By following these guidelines for digging tree holes, you’ll send your new tree off growing on the right foot. Just be sure to give those expanding roots plenty of room by keeping the area around the tree free of competition. Before you know it, your beautifully dug hole will be a distant memory, and you’ll have a majestic, healthy tree for years of enjoyment.
How To Dig Loose Enough
In other words, the soil around the roots should be loose enough to make it easy for them to… People who garden on clay soil, like I did in Central Ohio, should pay attention to how the sides of the newly dug hole are shaped. Those are not desirable. The shovel’s weight can sometimes pack the ground down so that it looks like a bowl with a hole in it. To rough it up and make horizontal cracks, just use the shovel’s sharp edge to chip into the sides. Only a few authors have instructed me on that. But I think it’s good for the tree and lets water get out of the “bowl of clay.”
Some scientists say you shouldn’t add anything to the tree hole, but I’ve always had good results when I did. Adding humus in the form of compost or peat moss helps keep the soil around the new roots looser and more open to growth. I use the shovel to break it up and mix it in a little at the planting hole’s bottom and more as the old soil is filled in around the new tree. It is not recommended to make changes because doing so could cause the tree’s collar to sink too low and cause it to grow in a way that makes it lean. Arizona edu. had this to say:
All the knowledge is on the side of digging a big hole for planting, but no changes were made. Regular watering during dry times was more important.
University of Massachusetts Extension says:
If the rootball is planted too deep or too high, it can cause a lot of problems. I’ve seen a lot of problems happen when plants were planted too high.
The same source said, “An organic soil amendment may need to be added if the existing soil is of poor quality, such as if it is too sandy, too heavy, or made up of unwanted fill material.” ” And that returns us to what I found from my own experience. Adding some compost and peat moss has helped me garden on heavy clay, though maybe the amounts I used were too small to make a difference. “A little dab’ll do ya,” which means “moderation in all things,” works for adding compost to the hole where the tree will be planted.
About that “trunk flareThe flare is the spreading trunk base that connects with the roots. “. Covering it is what makes a tree grow slowly, and that includes putting huge piles of mulch against the tree’s trunk. Please don’t do that.
When you dig a hole, wear shoes. I had to say that because you might think your feet are made of iron when you’re sixteen. A shoe that protects your arch is probably a good idea, too. It’s tempting to try to push harder by putting your foot on the shovel’s lip, but that won’t help. Instead, push down with your foot and rock the shovel back and forth, etc. until you cut through the dirt.
Go to a reasonable depth. If your shovel gets stuck and you are strong enough (or crazy enough) to lift it all the way up in hard, resistant clay, something has to give. If the soil won’t, then you have to.
A wooden shovel handle can break.
I think that’s why my teenage boys were able to break the ash handles on my shovels even though they were still in good shape. It is hard on your back to do it that way, anyway. Save your back and patiently push down, rock, and lift the dirt out of the hole. Besides, many of the shovels come with fiberglass handles, now….
Did you give the tree enough water in its pot or soak the balled-up and burlapped rootball well? Did you remove and throw away any plastic string or wrap? Did you cut the sides of any peat containers that were left above the soil? Any peat containers that are left above the soil will wick the water away. Dried out roots=dead tree.
How To Dig A Hole Big Enough
The first bit of advice has to do with size. Of course, it does. You should dig a ten-dollar hole for a one-dollar plant. This means that the rootball should fit in a hole that is much bigger than it is now. The hole needs to be big, which takes some work at first, but think about it this way: the tree was one you really wanted to grow in your garden; it probably cost more than other plants you bought for your home; it will probably live longer than you and get big and valuable over time. All reasons to give it the effort and time to plant it right. A very nice large hole for its roots.
How to Prepare Your Tree Planting Hole!
How do you excavate a hole in a tree?
To excavate a hole and properly plant a tree so that it thrives, follow these steps: Choose a spot for your tree where it will receive adequate sunlight. Dig a hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball of the tree. The hole should be shallow enough that the root ball protrudes 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) above the top of the hole.
How to dig a hole for a tree?
Place the tree in the hole and backfill dirt around the roots. Add 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) of mulch around the tree. Water the tree after planting. Continue to water on a weekly basis. Stake the tree to ensure it stays upright. This process on how to dig a hole for a tree will make your work easy, and set your tree up to flourish.
Should you dig a hole for a plant?
Digging the right hole is crucial when planting. Whether it’s a bulb, tree, or container plant, you want to dig a properly sized hole so the plant can put down its roots and thrive. In this guide, we’ll explore the best practices for digging holes and recommendations for the appropriate hole size for different plant types.
How deep do you dig a hole for a small plant?
Small Plants When digging a hole for a small plant no more than three inches wide, use a bulb auger to dig a hole between six and 12 inches deep. Insert the root ball into the hole, then cover the base of the plant with excess soil.