Chestnut Tree Planting Guide & Leaf-out Guarantee
We offer a Leaf-out Guarantee that every plant purchased will leaf out in the spring when you purchase our tree tube kit with each tree. In order to qualify for a refund we kindly ask for a picture of the tree that did not come out of dormancy at the end of May. We will ship you a complimentary replacement the following fall. All you have to do is pay shipping. Please click below to request a replacement. If you follow our chestnut tree planting guide, you will ensure maximum success!
Chestnut Tree Planting Guide
Trees that are shipped to you are either in, or beginning to enter dormancy. This may mean some or all of the leaves have begun to brown, dry up or even fall up. THIS IS NORMAL! It is a natural process each tree goes through. In order to ensure the highest rate of success we ask that you follow the following steps to ensure a heathy transplant. When you receive your tree it will have its roots in a bag with a substrate to ensure the roots do not dry out. Upon getting your trees take them out of the shipping box and bag and place the roots from the trunk down in a bucket of water for two hours. Do not leave them in the bucket longer than 5 hours. If you are not ready to plant they can be put back into the shipping bags for a few days. Trees must be kept cool and out of direct sunlight until ready to plant. Roots are very sensitive and can dry out in as little as an hour. This can kill or severely stunt your tree. The most common mistake we see is customers taking all the trees out of the bag to plant. Take one out at a time and only after the hole is prepped. Follow our chestnut tree planting guide to maximize success.
Step 1
Get a high quality potting mix designed for trees or shrubs. This helps hold moisture. Dig a hole 18" wide and 5" deeper than the length of the roots. If you have heavy soil we recommend digging deeper so water can drain away from the roots. Then mix soil from the hole with the potting mix. At this time, add the fertilizer bag and mycorrhizal packet to the soil and mix in.
Step 2
Place tree in the center of the hole and fill with soil mixture. It is critical the tree is not buried too deep. Hold the stem of the tree when you fill with soil to ensure correct depth. As the hole is filled with soil slightly compact soil to eliminate air pockets. Tamp with your foot or hands and add plenty of water to ensure area is completely saturated.
Step 3
Then add the weed mat around the tree buy tucking the edges in with a shovel, landscape fabric staples or even a few large rocks. Next, put the tree tube and stake down to support the tree. We suggest taking an old milk jug and putting a very small hole in the bottom and placing at the base of the tree tube. This can be ziptied to the tube stake and filled with water to ensure a slow-release water to the developing tree. Your tree should get watered a minimum of one gallon 3-4 times per week the first year. Check soil moisture and if it is dry, give it some water. One of the biggest issues we see is successful leaf out and then neglect of watering.
All finished!
After planting no additional fertilizer is needed the first year. Take the extra time to plant your tree correctly, with the right size hole, and ensure the tree stays watered and you will have success. We also offer customer support all year long for free as we want your project to be a success! Feel free to share our chestnut tree planting guide with others or use it for other species of chestnuts.
