Why you should never stomp soil when planting a new tree
In short: When settling a new tree into its home, the instinct to pack the soil down with your feet is actually counterproductive. Instead of securing the plant, you might be inadvertently suffocating it by removing the very air it needs to survive.
When positioning a tree in its hole, the first priority is aesthetics and orientation. Once the tree is placed, you should rotate it so its most attractive side faces your primary line of sight. After ensuring the tree is level and positioned correctly, the next step involves a careful back-filling process that avoids common amateur mistakes.
A common temptation is to back-fill the entire hole and then stomp the soil down with shoes to pack it tight. However, modern professional practice rejects this method. Stomping the soil compacts it too much, which removes the essential airspace required for the tree to breathe. To settle the soil properly, professionals use water instead of physical pressure.
The recommended technique involves filling the hole about one-third of the way with soil, then adding a significant amount of water to let it settle naturally. This process should be repeated, spraying the sides of the root ball to expose the roots and ensure the soil settles into the bottom of the hole. This methodical approach helps prevent the formation of girdling roots—roots that circle the trunk rather than growing outward radially.
Girdling roots can be caused by the tree's natural growth or by soil being pushed up over the root flare by automatic digging spades during the excavation process. By using water to settle the soil and ensuring the root flare remains clearly exposed, you promote healthy, radial root growth and avoid long-term structural issues for the tree.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Plant a Tree, Part 2 | Lawn & Garden Care
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