Fill the hole with water. Let it drain and refill it unless the ground is already wet from rain. Within 24 hours, half or more of the water should have drained from the hole. If little or no water drains from the test hole, follow the planting procedure shown in Figure 4 B. If the hole drains satisfactorily, prepare the hole as shown in Figure 4 A. Leaf mold or peat moss may be mixed with the backfill soil, but it is not recommended because it delays establishment of the tree. Under no circumstances add ground tree bark or wood chips to the backfill soil or planting hole.
Tree bark stunts the growth of young trees.
The best backfill around a new tree or shrub is a good loamy soil. Most ornamental trees and shrubs grow well in a variety of soils. If necessary, replace your soil. Planting Bare Root Trees and Shrubs Trees and shrubs should be planted at the same depth at which they were growing in the container or field nursery. There is a texture and color change between the trunk or stem and the roots.