I bought a pin oak tree 50% off at the local nursery. Now, how do I plant and take care of it?

Question

I know it will take until I am at least 100 yrs old to get tall enough to shade anything. Thats mostly the reason I bought it. I just wanted to leave something good behind me after I leave this earth. I love my yard and my home and want to share my enjoyment of nature with someone in the future.
Now back to the tree..... How big should the hole be I plant it in and how often do I water it? Its about 10 feet tall and in a 3 gallon pot.

Answer 1

Here is the University of Illionois Extension Service's tree planting guidelines:

Dig the hole as deep as the root ball and no deeper so the soil under the root ball is undisturbed. This will prevent the tree from settling.

Dig a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball. This will allow roots to grow more easily into this area.

Do not add soil amendments. Old recommendations for adding soil amendments such as peat moss have been discarded. Simply use the soil removed from the hole as backfill.

Prune only broken or dead branches at planting time. Removing live branches removes a source of stored energy important in overcoming planting stress. Start pruning for good structure in a year or two once the tree is better established. Pruning for a strong tree framework goes a long way in preventing future problems.

Stake trees only when needed as in windy or high traffic areas. Wire even if protected with garden hose can damage the trunk. Use broad-banded materials, check frequently and remove after one year.

Wait a year to fertilize unless using a slow release fertilizer.

Add 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch such as wood chips. Mulch should not contact the trunk. Mulch helps to conserve soil moisture, eliminates harmful competition from turf and keeps lawnmowers and weed whips from damaging the trunk.

Do not wrap trees during the growing season. Wrap can hold moisture next to the trunk and serve as a home for insects. If rodents are a problem, use wire mesh cylinders around the trunk.

Don’t forget the most important first step - select the proper tree. Avoid the "it’s so pretty" impulse purchase. Do your homework. Select a tree with the correct mature height and one that will easily adapt to the soil and planting site.

Water the tree, but do not over water. Deep infrequent watering is always the best practice. Use your finger to monitor the soil moisture around your tree. If the top 2-3" of soil is dry but the soil beneath this is moist, then water.

Answer 2

The hole should be twice the diameter of the root ball. Leave the bottom humped in the middle so that the root ball resting on the top of the hump just sticks out above the surrounding soil. Get top soil or amend the soil you took out of the hole with organics such as compost or peat moss, sand, fertilizer, and some top soil, pack it snugly around the root ball, cut the strings or rope of the ball but leave the burlap in the hole, and fill the hole so it is a little higher than the top of the root ball and will settle down some. Make a little dike around the hole and fill it with water and let the hose trickle into the puddle for a couple hours. Then put two to 4 inches of mulch such a shredded pine on top. Water twice a week such that the water fills the little dike.

Answer 3

make the whole big enough that when you place the tree in it, the base is covered and then place mulch or fine soil on top. I use miracle grow for my plants. It helps a lot