Planting a shrub or tree.....

[Botany]

7. The hole should be twice the width and the same depth as the root ball

mix the top layer of the native soil w/compost and or peat along with
some hardwood bark mulch at a 1/3 to 1/3 to 1/3 ratio a couple of
pounds of espoma organic fert should be added to the planting mix.
Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal is your plant's friend.


If it is a container plant cut two sides of the root ball with a knife or
spade ...... this stops circular growth of roots.

If you are in heavy clay plant the plant about 1" above grade.

Stay away from dyed mulches ..... especially the black types.

Some plants such as queen of the prairie and arborvitae like
to stay damp and you want to plant them lower.

Avoid non native invasive plants such as norway maple, burning bush,
privet, english ivy, callery pears, and so on.

A good spade really helps ..... http://www.amleo.com/spades/c/P01H/