Planting a tree requires preparation to ensure the tree you planted will last and not die within the first year of planting. Now, we all know there's more to planting a tree than digging a hole in the ground and placing the tree in the spot. Don't we all wish that was the case, though? However, with some simple preparation, anyone can grow beautiful trees that thrive and last. Here's what you need to do (and avoid!) because these tips can make or break your job! Here's how to plant trees that last.

1. Choose A Native Tree

Choosing a native tree offers many benefits: You will help local wildlife live and thrive and preserve biodiversity. Animals and birds will enjoy the tree for food and shelter. After all, native trees suit our climate and seasons better. And that is good for our healthy ecosystems and environment.

2. Choose A Tree From Healthy Stock

Too often, we are under pressure to get the job done, and we rush our acceptance of stock coming into the job site. This critical moment can make or break the project or job! When accepting supply, you should be looking for lovely healthy leaves and stems, a single leader for trees and a great root system which are all signs of a healthy tree growing. It's much easier to reject stock at the start than trying to get the tree back to health and then establish it unless you use TerraCottem soil conditioner.

3. Plant Your Tree At The Right Time (Now is better than never!)

Now is a better time to plant a tree than never, so why not start planning and choosing a tree right after reading this blog? Decide on which type of tree you want to plant and look at some trees at a nursery. In principle, trees with a root ball can be grown all year round. However, keep in mind that it's not possible in extreme temperatures like frost or heat. An excellent time to plant trees is when rain is expected.

4. Determine The Appropriate Size Of Your Plant Hole

Be sure to spend time preparing the plant hole to ensure the best tree establishment. You can easily compare it with setting the base of a house. If you start randomly, the construction could collapse like a house of cards. The same applies to a tree. A common mistake? A tree planted too deep or too narrow. Too deep, the roots get too little oxygen, and the tree suffocates. If it is too thin, it hurts the root system's chances of development.

Plants thrive better in larger plant holes. A giant hole means a more significant volume of loosened and well-aerated soil—the ideal ground for healthy root growth. Place your tree as deep as the height of the container your tree was in. This way, the top of the root ball is parallel to ground level.

5. Optimise Your Soil

Only a few soils are perfect. There are almost always limiting factors. A lava substrate brings a lot of air into the ground, but on the other hand, does not hold moisture well. Clay soil has this property but does not drain properly. And so on. With a soil conditioner, you overcome these limitations. The TerraCottem soil conditioner is a balanced granular mixture of more than 20 water-containing, nutrient-rich and stimulating components.

This video shows how TerraCottem soil conditioner improves a tree's chances of survival.
https://stratagreen.com.au/videos/5-tips-for-succesful-tree-planting.mp4

In a nutshell, the TerraCottem soil conditioner takes care of:

• Maximum water retention in the root zone • A 50% water saving • Stronger and deeper root development • Improved growth • Higher resistance against drought stress

Discover more about the TerraCottem soil conditioner here.

Unfortunately, the optimisation of the subsurface is often underestimated or even forgotten. The result? Many trees die before they even get a chance to grow.

Bottom line? Look at the whole picture. Think long term. It makes no sense to plant an expensive large tree in poor soil and a planting hole with the correct dimensions. A scenario doomed to failure. The tree dies, and it costs you a lot of money to have it removed. Just think of the crane hire, the person-hours... In short, an expensive exercise, even though you could have prevented it with thorough preparation and by investing a few euros more in a soil conditioner. Planting a tree without a comprehensive plan is never a good idea.

TerraCottem as life insurance for your tree ...And the climate. Because when it comes to climate change, trees are our heroes. After all, they cool down, absorb CO2, fine dust and purify the air. Trees contribute to biodiversity and embellish the environment. It's all true.