When your trees arrive from American Tree Nursery Direct, they have been carefully hydrated, root-wrapped, and packed in ventilated nursery cartons to lock in moisture during UPS Ground or FedEx Home Delivery transit. Following these five proven horticultural steps during the first 48 hours and first growing season ensures rapid root establishment and vigorous canopy growth.
Step 1: Unboxing & Root-Ball Hydration (First 24 Hours)
- Open the carton immediately upon arrival: Cut the tape carefully and slide your tree out by lifting the root ball—never pull the tree by its upper trunk or branches.
- Rehydrate the roots: Remove the outer plastic moisture bag while keeping the soil around the roots intact. Place the container or wrapped root ball in a bucket of cool water for 30 to 60 minutes until air bubbles stop rising, or water thoroughly until water runs freely from the bottom.
- If planting is delayed by a few days: Stand the tree upright in a shaded, wind-protected spot Outdoors (or a cool garage if freezing) and keep the root ball moist until planting day.
Step 2: Digging the Right Hole & Planting Depth
The #1 mistake homeowners make when planting evergreen privacy trees or grafted fruit trees is planting too deep:
- Dig 2× Wide, 1× Deep: Dig your hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the height of the root ball.
- Keep the Root Flare at or 1 Inch Above Grade: The root flare (where the topmost roots spread out from the trunk) should sit level with or 1 inch above the surrounding soil line so water never pools against the bark.
- Protect the Graft Union on Fruit & Nut Trees: On grafted trees like Honeycrisp Apple, Santa Rosa Plum, or Desirable Pecan, ensure the graft union (the slight bump 2–4 inches above the roots) remains at least 2 to 3 inches above the soil surface.
- Backfill with Native Soil: Mix 75% native topsoil with up to 25% aged compost. Avoid filling the hole with pure potting mix, which can create a "bathtub effect" in heavy clay soil. Do not put raw synthetic fertilizer directly into the planting hole.
Step 3: The "Donut" Mulching Method (Never Volcano Mulch)
- Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of shredded hardwood or pine bark mulch in a 3-foot circle around the base of the tree to conserve soil moisture and suppress grass competition.
- Pull the mulch back 3 inches away from the trunk so the bark stays dry and aerated (a "donut," never a "volcano").
Step 4: First-Year Watering Schedule
| Establishment Phase | Watering Frequency | Amount per Tree |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 (Root Settling) | Every 2–3 days (unless 1"+ rain falls) | 2–3 gallons applied slowly at the root zone |
| Weeks 3–12 (Active Root Growth) | Twice per week in warm weather | 3–5 gallons deep soak |
| Months 4–12 (First Year) | Once per week during dry spells | 5 gallons deep soak |
Step 5: Backed by Our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee
Every tree from American Tree Nursery Direct—from Thuja Green Giant and Weeping Willow to Red Maple and Tuscarora Crape Myrtle—is backed by our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee.
If your tree arrives damaged in transit, contact our horticulture support team within 7 days of delivery with photos for a free replacement or full refund:
Phone: (980) 819-0362 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST)
Email: orders@americantreenurserydirect.com
Address: 16412 Leavitt Ln, Davidson, NC 28036