How to install a plant in Guilford County

Welcome to Guilford county, where the lakes are plentiful, the children are good-natured, and the soil is....a solid block of clay.  Some people are fortunate enough to live in places were the soil strata is rich in humus and the drainage is good; they can just drop a tree into a hole and away it will go, but not here.  Planting trees in Guilford county is an endeavor that requires more than a simple hole in the ground.   You could always hire someone to plant the tree correctly (but buyer beware...not all landscapers are created the same) or you could save the money and do it yourself.  When it comes to planting trees, this is one area where an ounce of prevention is worth a dump truck full of cure.  Take your time and do it right.

1. Start by selecting a very high quality top soil.  Oak Ridge Shrubbery and Landscaping, of 1016 Highway 68 North in Oak Ridge, sells an extremely rich and fertile top soil for $40 per cubic yard (about 9'x9' square).  There are some items that you get what you pay for and top soil is one of those items.  It's especially crucial in this area to make sure you get your tree off to a good start.  Their top soil was developed especially by them and is 100% organic with no added manure.
2. Mix your top soil with a soil conditioner (finely ground pine bark).  If you can find a good deal on soil conditioner, go ahead and take advantage of it.  You want to mix one part soil conditioner to one part top soil and mix it up good.  This will provide aeration and drainage for your tree.
3. Next dig a hole and don't skimp on it.  There is an old saying that goes "Dig a $2 hole for a $1 tree" and that is a good assessment of what you need.  You will want your hole to be about twice as wide as your rootball and one and a half times as deep.  Give the young roots some room to spread out before they start the difficult task of penetrating the clay. 
4. Now backfill the hole with your top soil and soil conditioner mixture and pack it down.  Make sure the top of the rootball will rise above the edge of the hole about an inch and a half.  This may sound counter intuitive, but this is the equivalent of putting the gravel in the bottom of a terrarium; it gives excess water a place to go where the roots won't be sitting in a puddle of water.  Over time, the rootball will settle out level with the ground surface as the backfill packs down.
5. Place your tree.  Remove the tree from the pot.  If it is badly root bound, cut down the sides of the rootball and fluff up the roots.  This will help your tree to take root more easily.  Turn the best side of the tree facing in the direction you want it to and back fill around the edges, packing the soil down as tightly as you can get it.
6. Water in the tree.  Planting can be pretty stressful for a plant, especially one that has been root bound.  Water it well as soon as it is planted so as to avoid shock.  I like to water in a new plant with Miracle Gro, but that is optional and not necessary.
7. Water the tree daily for two weeks, then every three days for three weeks, and then let Mother Nature take over.  If you have an especially dry period, make sure the tree gets watered at least once a week.  Your tree will be working extra hard to acclimate to its new location and stretch out its roots.  It will need much more water during the first few weeks than it typically would, especially if you plant it during the hottest of the summer months.  Consult with your garden center about the watering needs of your particular tree.

For a comprehensive list of drought tolerant plants, visit your local Agricultural Extension Center.