Dense shade from trees such as the tulip tree gives the maximum reduction in the sun's intensity and should be used to shade homes. Others, such as honey locust or bald cypress, provide the lightly filtered sunlight that plants such as camellias and azaleas need to perform best. Culture Thorough soil preparation enhances good plant growth. A large planting hole several times the size of the root ball and with well-worked backfill soil will produce satisfactory results. Organic soil amendments placed in the planting hole will not produce a superior tree.
Research indicates that the best use of organic materials such as ground pine bark is as a mulch.
Amending an entire bed with organic material can be beneficial. If so, disturb the root ball just prior to planting or do not buy the tree. Check the root systems of bare-root trees and reject those with roots that have been allowed to dry, or where there is an inadequate root system. There are several important steps in the planting procedure. Plant at the proper depth, avoid excessive packing of the fill-soil, construct a water basin to hold water initially, water the tree in after planting, and mulch with 2 to 3 inches of an organic material such as pine bark or pine straw.