Private Tree Care

Planting Tips:

1. Call before you dig. Contact Alberta One-Call to ensure that there are no conflicting underground utilities near your desired planting location.
2. Handle with care. Always lift the tree by the rootball.
3. Dig a large hole that is approximately 2x as wide as the rootball.
4. Plant at the right depth. The tree flare should be slightly above the ground. A tree flare, also called root flare, is the broadening of a tree’s trunk just above the soil line.
5. Backfill the hole with good soil. You can generally use the soil that you dug out of the hole, unless it is primarily clay.
6. Top with a mulch ring to help with moisture retention. Keep the mulch at least 5cm away from the tree trunk to ensure proper exchange of oxygen.
7. Reference this Tree Planting video for more information.
8. For a list of common trees found in Edmonton, please visit our Common Tree Species page.

Watering Tips:

• Water your tree in the early morning or evening.
• Check if the soil is moist to the touch, if so your tree may not need watering.
• Water around the tree's drip line (an imaginary line extending from the outermost branch tips straight down to the ground), rather than just around the trunk.
• To reach the roots responsible for gathering water make sure the area around your tree is moist to a depth of 30 - 45cm below the surface, depending on the size of the tree.
• During drought conditions, the soil may first repel the water. Water lightly several times on the first day until the soil will accept the water.
• Trees can drown! Instead of watering often, water generously in one long, slow application.
• Wood mulch will help to keep the roots cool and moist.
• Water your trees well in early spring and in the fall to prepare for winter.

The City waters newly-planted and transplanted City-owned trees regularly for approximately the first 3 years. If your new boulevard tree needs attention, please contact 311.