Spread the two halves over a mound of soil in the planting hole. Mulching Apply a loose mulch, such as wood chips, over the planted area to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. This eliminates the need for cultivating and reduces the frequency of watering. The best mulches for trees and shrubs are wood chips, bark chunks or similar materials. Do not use solid polyethylene sheet plastics.
Plastic films exclude air exchange to roots.
This can kill your plants. Fertilizing Do not fertilize newly planted trees and shrubs until the second growing season. Protecting Young Trees Young trees, particularly thin-barked types such as soft maple, honeylocust and crabapples, may be sunscalded during the first year or two after transplanting. This injury, usually on the southwest sides of trees, is caused by sudden temperature changes and water loss in late winter. Wrap the trunk and large branches prior to winter to reduce this problem.