We are equipped to meet all your tree planting needs.

Whether you're restoring several acres of frequently flooded crop ground to a tree plantation or planting a few oak seedlings in the understory of your forest, we are able to get them in the ground and control the weeds to keep them alive.

We can help you apply for cost-share incentives available to complete this practice.

Planting Your Potted Trees

When Planting your new potted trees, you need to dig the hole large enough in diameter and depth so the root ball will fit comfortably in the hole. Do not stomp the root ball in to make it fit as this will negatively affect the roots and not allow the tree to grow to its full potential.  The depth you place the new root system at is very important as we want the roots to be placed at the same depth that they were growing in the nursery. The top of the root ball should be no deeper than 1-2” below ground level.  The more sunlight available, the better the tree will do so choose appropriate locations and the trees will also grow best in well drained soils.

Spacing Your Trees 

Our suggested spacing for Oak and Chestnut trees is 30-40 feet apart. If you choose to plant your trees in rows, you should keep 25-30 feet in between rows and stagger the trees in each row.  Planting at least 10-12 trees in an area will significantly aid in pollination and will also produce more mast for that one area.  

    X      X      X      X      X      Row 1
        X      X      X      X      X  Row 2


Fruit Trees should have a distance of 20-25 feet between each one and if planting in rows, keep 15-20 feet between rows and stagger like the above diagram.  It is beneficial to mix varieties and plant these in groups or 10 or more for best pollination.

**We have had a 95% survival rate in our test plots.  Most feel that if you have above 75% survival rate you are doing well.  We expect your trees to be in the upper percentage.**

Tree Shelter Tubes

Wildlife can be a hassle on freshly planted trees as they crave the new tender leaves.  We all want to plant trees to enhance a property and improve the habitat for wildlife.  By using tree shelter tubes, it increases the survival rate significantly.  The tubes we suggest are 4 feet and 5 feet in height.  These tubes not only protect the trees up to that height but also aid in faster growth rates.  The shelters stay on the tree until the tree outgrows it.  We strongly recommend the use of tree shelter tubes as they significantly increase survival and growth rates and they are the best way to insure your investment.  

Weed Control and Pruning

Minimizing weed competition is very important in helping the trees to grow faster.  Each year around mid May or early June, we spray Round Up around the base of all the trees in about a 3 foot radius.  By using the Tree Shelter Tubes, they serve as a shield when spraying so Round Up does not get on the tree. We recommend misting all weeds within a 3 foot radius and DO NOT spray Round Up directly on the tree.

Pruning Your trees will also enhance the growth rate.  You can prune trees in late fall or early spring and you want to focus on the lower limbs and suckers coming from the bottom and trunk.  We like to prune so there is only a single trunk until the tree reaches a height of 5 feet and comes out of the top of the tube.  By eliminating the lower limbs, it allows the tree to focus on growing taller than supporting and feeding unwanted lower branches.  General rule of thumb is pruning the bottom third of the branches.