Question
Several years ago my daughter dug up a tiny two inch tall pine seedling from very near a lake in Michigan. I believe it is a tree native to our forests. It did very well with the TLC and watering and feeding my daughter gave it.The soil was plain ol' dirt. We moved, and the tree came with us, and was planted into some clay. It is not doing well. I gave her a jug of plant food fluid and told her to give the whole gallon to it, and we put potting dirt all around it. What I think it needs is a very large plant container and some real dirt in it and no clay. But I will ask you what it needs. (It could be a white pine, and it is about 2 feet tall planted in a front lawn.)

Please answer quickly.

Answer
The proper method of planting a potted tree is dig the hole twice the size of the pot and as deep and fill with good top soil or potting soil. Mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not oiled up on the trunk.  The mulch will help hold moisture around the trees roots and keep lawn mowers form the trunk.