Bare-root stock must be planted while trees are dormant. Increasingly, trees are available in burlap balls or pots. You can plant these trees anytime during the growing season if the soil ball is not disturbed and adequate water is provided. Remove all plastic pots and tying string or wire before planting. A good rule is to make the planting hole twice as large as the soil ball to ensure that roots are not twisted or crowded.
Roots can also expand more easily in the surrounding loose soil.
Unless good quality soil is present, it is advisable to mix peat and sand with the soil removed from the hole. In heavy clay soils, it may be necessary to provide for drainage of excess water from the planting hole. Planting the tree on a small mound that is slightly higher than the surrounding soil will also be helpful. This will reduce the likelihood of root diseases which can result from excess moisture in heavy clay soils. Pruning Newly planted hardwood trees should be pruned after planting.