Planting and Care

Planting

Thinking about planting a tree but don’t know where to start? We’re here to help! Just follow the steps below.

1. Determine if your proposed tree is on private property or in the public right-of-way

If your planned tree is on your own private property, please proceed to the next step.

If your planned tree is in the public right-of-way, simply follow our handy Public Right-of-Way Tree Planting Checklist and contact us once you’re done. We will provide assistance to you free of charge! 509.363.5495, or UrbanForestry@SpokaneCity.org.

Since the width of the right-of-way varies from street to street, and sometimes from block to block, you should always check before working on trees anywhere near roads or alleys. If you are unsure if your proposed tree is in the public right-of-way, contact us and we’ll help you make the determination.

2. Call 811 Before You Dig

You might be surprised how much is going on underground. Gas, electric and other utility lines are just about everywhere. So for your own protection, state law requires you to call at least two working days before you start digging – whether you’re planting a tree in your backyard or undertaking some serious excavation work.

For more information see our Standard Planting Diagram (PDF 155 KB) or a Sidewalk planting diagram (PDF 340 KB).

3. Give your tree a healthy start

  • Hydrate the tree well by soaking it for at least an hour, even a day before it is to be planted. It is important to wash off most of the soil surrounding the roots of the newly purchased tree. This enables the roots to better acclimate to the native soil and for water to be available to those roots.
  • Do not loosen the soil at the base of the planting hole as this soil will settle, causing the tree to be buried too deeply.
  • Be sure to make the sides of the planting hole rough so water can permeate more easily.
  • Never lift a tree by the trunk. The tree’s vascular system is just inside the bark and if the tree is young with thin bark this action may inhibit growth.
  • Remove all fabric wrap, wire, or basket around the tree and root ball that may inhibit strong growth.
  • Make sure roots are loosened and not wrapping around the tree. Be especially careful if the tree was containerized when purchased. You may need to sever part of a root to encourage outward growth. If the tree is planted with the roots circling around they will continue to do so in the planting hole and will eventually girdle and kill the tree.
  • The most common cause of a tree to fail is the result of being planted too deeply. In the past a common rule was to plant a tree no deeper than it was planted at the nursery. Many times the nurseries will plant their trees too deeply. A better way is to make sure the flare of the tree trunk is 1-2" above the soil surface. Sometimes this means pulling away the soil and maybe small roots down off the trunk to find the natural flare of the tree.
  • After the tree is seated in hole, back fill with native soil; not amended mix. Make a small well around the perimeter of the hole and water thoroughly.
  • Mulch with organic matter such as wood chips to 3" deep in a circle around the tree which has a diameter of at least 60”. Pull away mulch so it is not against the trunk of the tree. Mulch not only provides nutrients to the tree, it helps to keep moisture in the soil and suppresses weeds. Stake trees only when necessary. Staking young landscape trees is a very common, yet often unnecessary practice. If stakes are installed they should be removed after one year. Removing stakes allows the tree to sway in the wind, which helps the trunk increase in girth and strength. Another reason to remove stakes is that the straps can girdle the tree which hinder the flow of water and nutrients in the tree and create a weak spot in the trunk.

Pruning

Pruning your tree can seem like a daunting task. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Just follow the steps below.

1. Determine if your tree is on private property or in the public right-of-way

If your planned tree is on your own private property, please proceed to the next step.

If your tree is in the public right-of-way, you may need a tree permit depending on the kind of work you will be doing on the tree. Since the width of the right-of-way varies from street to street, and sometimes from block to block, you should always check before working on trees anywhere near roads or alleys. If you are unsure if your tree is in the public right-of-way, contact us and we’ll help you make the determination. 509.363.5495, or UrbanForestry@SpokaneCity.org.

If you have determined that your tree is in the public right of-way, you may engage in pruning if it meets all three of these requirements.

  1. Branches being pruned do not exceed two inches in diameter
  2. Pruning does not exceed 15% canopy loss
  3. The tree is more than 10 feet from a power line

*Planting and pruning work must meet City Arboricultural Specifications and Standards and Standard Planting Diagram.

Any tree work within a right-of-way that does not meet the above conditions DOES require a tree permit. Please visit our Tree Permits page and follow the steps starting at How to apply for a Street Tree Permit.

2. Start pruning!

NOTE: If you have determined in step 1 that your tree work requires a permit, please skip this step, visit our Tree Permits page and follow the steps starting at How to apply for a Street Tree Permit.

To learn more about proper pruning, read the International Society of Arboriculture's guidelines for Pruning Young Trees and guidelines for Pruning Mature Trees.

"Topping," "hat-racking," "cutting back," or "rounding over" is harmful to the health and safety of trees and is not an acceptable practice to use on right-of-way trees.

Tree work can prove to be tricky and even dangerous, especially with larger trees. If you don’t feel comfortable performing the necessary work on your tree, or if you’d just rather avoid the hassle, we have a list of licensed, certified arborists in the city of Spokane who can perform this work for you! See the full list on our Permits Page.

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