How lovely that you (and many others) are taking part in the initiative to plant an (extra) tree in your garden. Trees bring nature to the town or village. They make our living environment greener, provide shade and help retain rainwater for longer. They provide a home for small animals and insects. No wonder, then, that we cherish our trees in Apeldoorn. By making space for a tree, you’re helping both nature and the climate. In this way, your garden or balcony contributes to the greenery in Apeldoorn!
Please, could I have a little tree as well?
Take good care of your young tree
The tree is young and therefore not very big yet. When planting trees, we prefer to use small ones; if they take root, they will eventually grow faster than larger ones. The tree is vulnerable when it is first planted. So please take good care of it! To help it grow as well as possible, we’ve put together a few tips on planting and caring for it. You’ll find these on the back of this leaflet.
Check whether you need any extra garden soil
If you are planting the tree in very dry (poor) soil or soil containing a lot of yellow sand, you may need to add some extra fertile garden soil. This will provide a good growing medium for the tree, enabling it to grow well.
More information about your type of tree
You have probably chosen this particular tree species very deliberately. There is much more information available about this tree species, including its characteristics, height, suitable location, flowering period and attractiveness to wildlife. For example, see the Ebben’s website.
Planting and caring for your sapling
- Choose a tree species that is suitable for the spot where you are planting it. Some tree species grow larger than others. Are you looking for a tree for its blossom, its autumn colours, or its fruit? Think carefully about this – a tree is something you plant for years to come.
- Choose a spot where the tree will have enough space as it grows, so there’s room for both its roots and its crown.
- Make sure the tree is no closer than 0.5 metres from the boundary with your neighbours (this is a legal requirement)
- Plant the tree at least 2 metres away from your home.
Plant the tree on the very same day you bring it home. This is because the roots must not be allowed to dry out. If there is a bag around the roots, do not remove it until the very last moment.
- Dig a generous planting hole (considerably larger than the root ball) and loosen the soil well beneath the hole.
- If you remove any tiles (around 1 m²; that’s 9 paving slabs), be sure to replace the yellow sand underneath with fertilised garden soil.
- Plant the tree deep enough in the planting hole (not too deep, not too shallow). Do not plant it any deeper than it was at the nursery. You can tell this by the difference in colour on the trunk.
- Make sure the roots are placed loosely in the planting hole, without any knots.
- Loosen the soil slightly around the roots.
- Gently press down the soil and level it out around the tree.
- A tree stake provides extra support for the tree. If you have one, place the stake 10 to 15 cm away from the tree in the planting hole.
- Secure the tree to the tree stake using a tree tie; make sure the loop of the tie around the tree is not too loose. Otherwise, chafing will cause damage.
- Water your tree thoroughly on the same day (several tens of litres); make sure your tree gets enough water, especially during dry spells in spring.
- You can also spread compost or wood chips around the tree.