Nick87
Well-known member
Anyone here have a good bit of experience with raising/ planting trees. Maples in particular. I have a couple questions.
Planting trees
- Thread starter Nick87
- Start date
Jack Ryan
Active member
Not Maples for me but I think those grow fast given the ground and plenty of sun. I have transplanted ONE Maple. It was the biggest tree I ever transplanted and it lived. I drive by my old house and still see it there.
I've planted Pine, Spruce, Hemlock, apple, pear, plum, cypress, peach, persimmon, Buck haw, forcithia, rose of sharon, box wood, crab apple, dogwood, oak, chestnut.
I've planted Pine, Spruce, Hemlock, apple, pear, plum, cypress, peach, persimmon, Buck haw, forcithia, rose of sharon, box wood, crab apple, dogwood, oak, chestnut.
Nick87
Well-known member
How did you go about planting them if they say we're 10 to 12' tall. Can I get away without a machine to move them. Someoen said just roll them not sure how well that'll work?.
rookieforever33
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2026
- Messages
- 43
A 10-12' tree can be pretty heavy. Rolling it a short way while it is still burlapped shouldn't be a big deal. Getting it off of a truck or trailer may be.
Nick87
Well-known member
Trailer has a ramp. I think I can get it pretty close.
Jack Ryan
Active member
Get a tractor. #1 you are going to need for a property like I think you have. More than10acres.
Those are BIG trees. I wouldn't do it. The bigger the tree, the lower the % of survival, and the MORE EFFORT you have to put in to KEEPING it alive even after you get it planted and it is not easy job to plant.
You need to dig a hole twice as big as the root ball and spread out the roots when you unwrap it. After you plant it, SOAK that dirt down with water like you are drowning it. You don't know when was the last time it was watered before you got it and the water works the dirt down filling any air pockets. Don't expose the roots to the sun any more than you absolutely have to. Water thoroughly once a week through the dry season or any time the grass around the area starts turning yellow.
Check with your county extension agent to BE SURE the species you are buying is suitable for the place you want to put them.
My FIRST tree experience: I wanted big spruce, fast, as a cover block along the road. Wanted it done right so I bought them all from a "PRO" and they planted them all. Even got a "guarantee" for a year, and all of that COST A LOT OF MONEY. ALL OF THOSE TREES WERE DEAD 10 YEARS LATER OR LESS.
DON'T TRUST ANY ONE who makes their living selling you something.
Never plant plum trees.
What ever you plant, plant them one at a time. You can dig all the holes at once, but don't unwrap them until you are ready to put it in the hole. Then don't stop on that one until all the dirt is in the hole AND IT IS STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN. It will NEVER get better than it is the day you fill the hole.
I'd suggest you DON'T BUY ANY THING but seedlings and get them from your state tree nursery. For everything else, dig them up where they are not wanted or appreciated and plant them where you do want them. Pick first year seedlings or never more than 2-3 feet high. That is how I got ALL OF MY MOST FAVORITE TREES. My trees are my memories of people who were "on that hike" with me. Gave me some seedlings. Homes I've lived in or things like that.
For one thing, you know they are suitable to your environment if there are adult trees around and they are reproducing. They are free, so you can plant 2 for everyplace you want 1. If they both live, cut one down, you'll hit half of them with the lawn mower any way.
If they are surviving on their own, you don't have to baby them more than the first summer and the deer won't eat them all over night when you aren't looking. The deer WILL eat the tips off about any thing and the better you can protect it, the faster you will get what you want. Sometimes TWICE as fast compared to no protection.
Those are BIG trees. I wouldn't do it. The bigger the tree, the lower the % of survival, and the MORE EFFORT you have to put in to KEEPING it alive even after you get it planted and it is not easy job to plant.
You need to dig a hole twice as big as the root ball and spread out the roots when you unwrap it. After you plant it, SOAK that dirt down with water like you are drowning it. You don't know when was the last time it was watered before you got it and the water works the dirt down filling any air pockets. Don't expose the roots to the sun any more than you absolutely have to. Water thoroughly once a week through the dry season or any time the grass around the area starts turning yellow.
Check with your county extension agent to BE SURE the species you are buying is suitable for the place you want to put them.
My FIRST tree experience: I wanted big spruce, fast, as a cover block along the road. Wanted it done right so I bought them all from a "PRO" and they planted them all. Even got a "guarantee" for a year, and all of that COST A LOT OF MONEY. ALL OF THOSE TREES WERE DEAD 10 YEARS LATER OR LESS.
DON'T TRUST ANY ONE who makes their living selling you something.
Never plant plum trees.
What ever you plant, plant them one at a time. You can dig all the holes at once, but don't unwrap them until you are ready to put it in the hole. Then don't stop on that one until all the dirt is in the hole AND IT IS STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN. It will NEVER get better than it is the day you fill the hole.
I'd suggest you DON'T BUY ANY THING but seedlings and get them from your state tree nursery. For everything else, dig them up where they are not wanted or appreciated and plant them where you do want them. Pick first year seedlings or never more than 2-3 feet high. That is how I got ALL OF MY MOST FAVORITE TREES. My trees are my memories of people who were "on that hike" with me. Gave me some seedlings. Homes I've lived in or things like that.
For one thing, you know they are suitable to your environment if there are adult trees around and they are reproducing. They are free, so you can plant 2 for everyplace you want 1. If they both live, cut one down, you'll hit half of them with the lawn mower any way.
If they are surviving on their own, you don't have to baby them more than the first summer and the deer won't eat them all over night when you aren't looking. The deer WILL eat the tips off about any thing and the better you can protect it, the faster you will get what you want. Sometimes TWICE as fast compared to no protection.
Last edited:
Jack Ryan
Active member
Now you can't even see my house from there.
These are Bald Cypress seedlings I planted 20 years ago along my driveway.
These are Bald Cypress seedlings I planted 20 years ago along my driveway.
Last edited:
Jack Ryan
Active member
I just bought this place 3 years ago and planted this variety along the road to stop the spot lighters, road hunters and trespassers. Instead of fence I dragged dead trees out of the forest and laid them along the road right next to the pavement to keep people ON the road and OFF my trees/land. You can barely tell but they are there like giant rough speed bumps under the grass. Those pines are mostly about 8 feet tall now.
