Tree & Shrub Planting

Planting a tree looks simple and mostly isn't. Too deep, too much amendment, a hole the same shape as the pot, no water — each one quietly kills a tree over two or three years. We plant so they establish.

How we plant

1. Dig the hole wide (2–3× the root ball) and no deeper than the root flare.
2. Loosen the sides so roots can push out of the hole.
3. Backfill with mostly native soil, lightly amended — not pure compost, which traps roots.
4. Set the root flare at or slightly above grade.
5. Water deeply, mulch in a ring (not a volcano), and stake only if the site is windy — loosely, removed after a year.

What we plant

Hardy, wind-tolerant, zone-3 stock: Swedish aspen, Amur and Tatarian maple, hardy crabapple, columnar options for tight spaces, and shrub layers of dogwood, ninebark, potentilla, lilac and juniper. We source from Calgary-area growers so the stock is already acclimatized.

Watering a new tree or shrub

A new tree needs roughly 15–20 litres, twice a week, for its whole first growing season — more in a heat spell, less after a real rain. Shrubs need less but still more than an established one. Most young trees that die in Calgary die of drought, not cold, because the watering stops the moment it looks established. Keep a slow trickle at the drip line, not a quick blast at the trunk, so water reaches the whole root zone.

The mistakes that actually kill trees here

• Planted too deep — the root flare buried under grade or mulch slowly suffocates and rots the trunk over a few years
• Mulch volcano — mulch piled against the trunk holds moisture against the bark and invites rot and pests
• Pure compost backfill — roots circle inside the rich pocket instead of pushing into native soil, so the tree never anchors properly
• Watering stops too early — a tree that looks established in year one still needs consistent water through its second season

None of these show up the week we plant — they show up two or three summers later, which is exactly why we see so many replacement calls for trees that were planted wrong the first time.

How much does tree and shrub planting cost?

A single tree with proper hole prep, backfill and staking typically runs $150–$450 depending on size and species; a shrub layer of several plants is quoted together. Planting is quoted by the plant and the site — larger caliper trees and difficult access cost more. Full bed construction → if you're planting into new ground rather than an existing lawn.

Common questions

Best time to plant trees in Calgary?

Spring after the ground thaws, or late August into September. Avoid planting into the peak summer heat.

Do you move existing trees?

Small ones, yes — while dormant. Anything with a trunk over about 5 cm is usually cheaper to replace than to move successfully.

Will you guarantee the tree survives?

Not survival — that depends mostly on watering once we've left. What we do warranty is the planting itself: correct depth, backfill and staking, plus a watering schedule to follow.

How far should a tree be planted from my house or fence?

As a rule of thumb, plant it at least as far from the foundation as the tree's expected mature height, and clear of fence lines and buried utility lines. We check root spread and mature size for the species before we pick the spot, not just where it looks good today.