Question
I am wondering what is the proper way to transplant white paper birch trees? What size holes should I dig, what type of fertilizer, what about supporting these trees & do they need to be protected from the wind, if so, what manner do you suggest I use?
Thanks in advance for any info you can give me.
Best regards,
John Lockhart

Answer
I assume you will be buying a tree with a root ball. Dig the hole for the tree twice the size of the root ball and as deep. fill with good top soil or potting soil and mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch (do not pile up the mulch on the trunk) and water. Place the tree in the ground so the top of the root ball is at ground level. Do not fertilize for a year. Water every third day (if is does not rain) with 1 inch of water-place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. After 4-6 weeks start watering once a week with the same method. Do this through the growing season. It should not need support and the wind should not be a problem. Make sure you remove the burlap and wire holding the root ball before you plant the tree.