Carefully arrange the roots on a mound of loose soil at the bottom of the hole. Balled and burlaped trees can be planted during the growing season if adequate water is applied. The burlap can be left around the root ball but, if possible, remove some or all of it without disturbing the root ball. The tree will often get a faster rooting start if the burlap is carefully removed. Pine and spruce like a well-drained soil.
Clay tends to hold moisture too long and can kill the tree.
If you are stuck with clay, plant you tree in a raised bed by basically setting the root ball about 6-10 inches above soil level and filling in around it with good top soil. Dig the hole about twice as large as the root ball and then refill the bottom of the hole with top soil. Set in your tree and back fill around the roots with your soil. Gently firm the soil around the tree. All rights reserved.