How to Plant Trees and Shrubs: A Complete Guide

Planting trees and shrubs: Essential tips to get started

A tree can transform your garden for decades. Planting it correctly supports its health, growth, and stability. This guide shows you how to plant trees and shrubs properly and avoid common mistakes from the start.

The effort pays off. Well-planted trees and shrubs need less maintenance, enrich the ecosystem, and improve quality of life. Let's start with planning.

Why is preparation so important?

Careful planning can save you from having to transplant a plant later or even losing it. Two factors are especially important: the location and choosing the right tree.

How do I find the perfect location?

Take a close look at your garden. Consider the tree's mature height and width. Will there still be enough room in 20 years? Check the distance from buildings, utility lines, and neighboring properties.

Light needs vary by species. Sun-loving fruit trees struggle in the shade, while woodland trees can suffer in the hot midday sun. Observe the sun's path throughout the day.

Soil has a major influence on success. Is it sandy and dry, or heavy and clayey? A simple finger test can tell you a lot. Choose a tree that suits the soil, rather than trying to change the soil to suit the tree.

Which trees are suitable for a climate-friendly garden?

Choose native species such as rowan (European mountain ash), field maple, or small-leaved lime. They are adapted to the local climate, hardy, and provide food for native insects and birds. Exotic species may look attractive, but they often offer little ecological value.

Think about the future. A climate-friendly garden can withstand changing conditions. Choose species that can cope with dry spells and higher temperatures. Sustainable garden design starts with this decision.

A plant is only as good as its root system. A healthy, compact root ball without circling roots is the foundation for a long tree life.

How do you dig the ideal planting hole?

Digging a planting hole involves more than simply moving soil. The hole gives the plant the space it needs to get established. As a rule of thumb, make it twice as wide as the root ball and one and a half times as deep.

Loosen the bottom and sides thoroughly with a digging fork. Compacted sides can act like a concrete tub, preventing roots from spreading. In heavy soil, mix sand or compost into the soil you removed.

Never plant a tree deeper than it was growing at the nursery. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil. Planting too deeply can deprive the roots of oxygen and cause rot.

What tools do you need to plant shrubs?

A spade and shovel are enough for small shrubs. Large trees call for a sturdy shovel, a digging fork, and possibly a wheelbarrow. Sharp tools make the job easier. Find the right tools in our garden tools category.

Keep water close by. Watering the tree in is the final, essential step. A long garden hose is more practical than carrying several watering cans.

What should you consider when planting a tree?

Place the tree in the prepared hole. Check its height with a board laid across the hole. Fill the hole with soil in layers, gently firming each one as you go to prevent large air pockets.

Shape the soil into a watering basin to keep water over the root zone. Now give the tree a thorough drink: keep watering until air bubbles stop rising and a small puddle forms.

Water is the lift that carries nutrients. Without an adequate water supply during the establishment phase, the young plant's entire nutrient transport system comes to a standstill.

When and how should you support a young tree?

Place one or two stakes before backfilling the hole. Position a stake on the side the prevailing wind comes from. Secure the trunk with coconut rope or a tree tie. Tie it in a figure eight to prevent rubbing.

Tree spiral, 60 cm, 2-pack - protects young trees from wildlife browsing

View product

How do you care for trees and shrubs after planting?

The first growing season is critical. Water regularly and thoroughly during dry periods. Check the moisture in the root zone, not just at the surface. A mulch layer made from bark compost or shredded garden waste can reduce the need for watering by up to 50 percent.

Avoid using mineral fertiliser in the first year. The roots need time to develop. Organic fertiliser such as our

Organic fertiliser for fruit trees 2 kg - 100 % organic

View product

Additional advice

Applying seaweed lime in spring can be particularly useful for lime-loving plants such as boxwood or fruit trees

Seaweed lime for boxwood - 1 kg

View product

. It improves soil structure, supplies trace elements and can increase the plants’ resilience. You can also find out more in our plant protection section.

How do you protect young trees and shrubs in winter?

Newly planted trees and shrubs are more sensitive to frost. A layer of leaves or brushwood around the base of the tree insulates the shallow roots. For evergreen shrubs, garden fleece can provide protection from sun and wind and help prevent frost drought.

Remove winter protection in good time in spring. Check the tie to the stake and loosen it if it is cutting into the trunk.

How does planting trees contribute to greater sustainability?

Every tree you plant makes an active contribution. It absorbs CO2, produces oxygen, cools the surroundings through evaporation and filters dust. Planting a tree is a direct step towards a climate-friendly garden.

A tree donation to projects or planting a tree on your own property has a long-term impact. Combine trees with perennials and a flower-rich meadow for maximum biodiversity. Sustainable garden design focuses on creating habitats.

Use local materials. Avoid peat. Our range of plant and flower fertilisers offers many organic alternatives. Every decision counts.

With this guide, you are well prepared. You know how to assess the location and choose the right tree, dig the planting hole correctly and plant your tree. Your garden will thank you.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant trees and shrubs?

The ideal planting time for most trees and shrubs is autumn (October-November) or spring (March-April). In autumn, the soil is warm, the roots continue to grow and the plant gets off to a strong start in spring. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round when the ground is frost-free. Avoid periods of severe frost, heat or drought.

How large should a planting hole for a tree be?

The planting hole should be at least twice as wide and 1.5 times as deep as the root ball. For a root ball with a diameter of 50 cm, dig a hole 100 cm wide and 75 cm deep. Also loosen the base and sides of the hole thoroughly. A generous hole gives the roots room to grow and makes it easier for them to establish in the surrounding soil.

Does every newly planted tree need a stake?

No, not every tree needs support. A stake is advisable for standard trees, exposed locations or plants with a small root ball. Correct tying is important: position the stake in the direction of the prevailing wind before planting and secure the trunk with a wide, flexible tie. Remove the support after one to two years so that the tree can develop a strong, stable structure.

How should I water newly planted trees and shrubs?

After planting, water thoroughly once until a small puddle forms. In the following weeks, trees and shrubs need regular watering because their root systems are still small. Check the moisture in the root zone, not just at the surface. A layer of bark compost mulch significantly reduces evaporation. Avoid waterlogging.

What does a climate-friendly garden through tree planting mean?

Trees absorb CO2, produce oxygen, cool their surroundings through evaporation and provide habitats. A climate-friendly garden uses native, site-appropriate trees and shrubs that are adaptable and provide food for insects and birds. Avoid peat and choose durable materials. Every tree donation or planting directly contributes to the microclimate and biodiversity.