Dig your hole the same depth, and three times the diameter, of the pot your tree came in.

If you've been looking for a way to beautify your lawn, get a little extra shade from the sun, or just help Mother Earth out a little bit, you might think about planting a tree. By following a few tips from an expert, you can make sure that the small tree you buy at the nursery or garden store survives and thrives in your yard, and will be there for your grandchildren's grandchildren to enjoy.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1980, Jeff Meyer spent two years in sales, but a love for nature and a concern for the trees being cut down by developers soon led him to start The Big Tree Company, a business dedicated to moving and replanting large trees. Today Meyer is the Director of the American Forests Historic Trees Project, an effort that includes planting and nurturing trees grown from the seeds of the nation's most historically significant trees. Here he offers a few basic tips for planting a tree:

• The hole. According to Meyer, the planting pit for your tree should be as deep as the container you bought it in. More importantly, the hole should be three times the diameter of the pot.

• The soil. Once you have your hole dug, take a look at the soil. If you live in a recent development, there's a good chance that the ground will be fill dirt, which can be poor quality. If the soil doesn't look right to you, add a bag or two of potting soil from your local garden center.

• Mulch. Once the tree is in the hole and the soil is filled in, put about an inch or two of mulch over the top. According to Meyer, the mulch will help retain some of the moisture in the soil.

• Water. Now all you have to do is remember to water your tree regularly, and you can watch it grow big and strong over the coming years.

American Forests
www.americanforests.org

Treelink
www.treelink.org