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Root ball is set correctly
The point where the top-most root emerges from the trunk on some trees may not be at the soil surface. This can result from deep planting in the nursery, soil naturally washing over the roots in the nursery, cultivation between rows, soil pushing in toward the trunk during the digging process, from soil shifting up the trunk during transportation, soil pushing against the trunk when the top of the root ball is squeezed to tighten the ball, or for other reasons. To adjust for this, set the top of the ball several inches higher than the landscape soil as shown above. A shovel handle provides a convenient tool for gauging proper height.
