The Nangle & Niesen Guide to Planting Rootball Trees
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For over 50 years, Nangle & Niesen has supplied Ireland’s leading landscape architects, contractors, and discerning homeowners with exceptional, mature trees. We meticulously cultivate our trees for the Irish climate, and we want to ensure that your investment thrives from the moment it enters the ground.
When a tree reaches a larger, more mature size—typically a girth greater than 10-12cm—we lift it from our nursery using the root ball method. This process keeps the root system secure and in a nice, compact shape inside a hessian sack and a protective wire cage. Planting a mature rootball tree, such as the beautiful Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon' (Sweetgum) featured in our accompanying video guide, requires a slightly different approach than a bare root specimen.
Use this comprehensive guide to ensure a flawless planting process that establishes your tree for a lifetime of growth.
Essential Tools and Materials
Because of the size and weight of rootball trees, having the right equipment is critical for both safety and success.
The Toolkit
- A pick and shovel are required for excavating the hole, though a mini digger is highly recommended if you have access to one.
- A lifting hook is very helpful for rolling and maneuvering the heavy rootball into place.
- A crowbar is essential for creating pilot holes for the wooden stakes.
- A wooden mallet with a large head is ideal for driving the stakes firmly into the ground safely.
- A power tool (drill/driver) is needed to insert the screws for the crossbar.
- A standard hammer is required to secure the nails into the crossbar.
The Planting Materials
- A double staking kit is mandatory for rootball trees. Our kit includes two stakes, a timber crossbar, screws, wide flat-head nails, strapping, and a 38mm soft plastic cushion.
- High-quality topsoil to mix with compost for backfilling.
- A mycorrhizal bacterial stimulant to encourage biological root activity.
- ProStart Osmocote Six-Month Slow Release Fertilizer.
- A finishing mulch such as compost, leaf mold, manure, or bark.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
1. Preparation and the Golden Rule of Rootballs
2. Finding the Perfect Level
3. Root Stimulation and Backfilling
4. Feeding for the Future
5. The Double Staking System
- Use your crowbar to drive pilot holes into the firm ground on either side of the tree.
- Drive your two stakes down firmly using the mallet.
- Secure the wooden crossbar horizontally across the two stakes using your power tool and screws.
- Position the soft 38mm cushion between the tree trunk and the crossbar. This ensures that as the tree grows and moves, its bark won't rub against the timber and get damaged.
- Wrap the strapping around the trunk and cushion, securing it tightly to the crossbar using the flat-head nails. Always use flat-head nails, as a narrow head will cause the strap to tear away under tension.
- Leave this system in place for two years. By then, the tree's root structure will be fully established, and you can simply cut away the strapping and remove the stakes.
6. The Finishing Mulch
- It insulates the root zone, keeping it warm and protected from winter frosts.
- It traps moisture during the summer, stopping vital water from evaporating.
- It provides a steady stream of nutrients for surface roots to take in.
- It acts as a physical barrier, keeping eager landscapers with strimmers away from the delicate trunk.
- It stops hungry grass and weeds from growing around the base and competing for the tree's moisture and nutrients.
Ready to select your specimen?
Nangle & Niesen offers Ireland's largest and most diverse catalogue of premium, mature trees. Whether you are designing a high-end residential landscape or planting a commercial avenue, our expert team is here to consult with you.
Browse our current stock online or contact the nursery today to secure exceptional trees that are guaranteed to transform your environment.
