Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District

When hand-planting your seedlings, choose your planting location carefully after researching how tall and wide your tree will be. The site should have good soil, water and light conditions and have plenty of room available for tree growth. Watch for overhead power lines, neighboring buildings and other trees. Also, before you dig your hole, you should consider buried utilty lines. Call the Digger's Hotline at 800.642.8434 to make sure your site is clear.

Your tree should be planted as soon as you receive it. If this is not possible, store it in a shady, cool location and keep the roots moist. You can carry your trees in a bucket or water while you are planting to prevent thte roots from drying out. However, do not leave them in water fo extended periods of time.

Remove the grass from a three foot circle if you will not be using weed barrier fabric. Till the soil within this planting area to allow the roots to spread easily. Dig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball of your tree.