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Planting depth

Planting trees too deeply in the nursery can result in defects that are difficult to correct later. Click through the photos below for an introduction to this topic.

1

root planting illustration

main roots under soil

2

roots in media

media removed to show roots

3

surface roots deflect

surface root defects

4

roots too deep

too deep

5

roots visible at surface

visible at surface

6

trees

too deep?

7

soil on root ball

soil piled on root ball

8

excavate to find roots

excavate to find roots

9

first root too deep

first root too deep

10

closeup of too deep roots

close-up too deep

11

stem girdling roots

stem girdling roots from deep planting

12

good root system

good planting depth, good root system