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May have planted my viburnum and Skip Laurels too deeply? What to do..

6 years ago

Hi all
So, after a marathon week (trenched waterlines, other landscaping work) at home, I finally planted my 3 prague viburnum and 5 skip laurels (plus a 7' Redbud tree).
This was my first time planting. Ever.
I cleared the sod (6' diameter circle for redbud; 2.5' radius for Skip laurels in a hedge/rounded end rectangle; 3' circle for Viburnum). I used a manual edging tool, and dug the sod out at this level (think it leaves a 2-3" lower level?).
I dug down to what I thought was rootball depth for skip laurel; container depth for viburnum and redbud. These were also dug 2x the width of the rootball/container.
I realized I was too deep for the skip laurels after i removed root ball fabric and twine and tried to break up the soil/loosen roots on the skip, so I added some of what I dug out
I then mixed mushroom compost (1/3 of a 5 gallon bucket) with bagged premium topsoil (1/3 of a 5 gallon bucket) with a full 5 gallon bucket of the soil I removed.
I attempted to get the 'bulge' just above the roots 2" above the soil. But I realize now that is 2" above where I removed sod... this is slightly below the grass/soil line elsewhere. I also noticed, after 4 days of watering, that the plants seem to have settled a bit.
Is this a problem? Should I try to remove the plants and add topsoil underneath? I have yet to mulch-- thats on tap for this weekend... I really dont want to kill the plants, as they've already been sitting for 10 days in my yard prior to planting...
Sorry, I dont have a picture at the moment...

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

Actually, the above diagram is incorrect :-) The root flare - that area where the trunk widens into the root system - should be at the existing soil surface level or slightly higher. Not buried several inchs below the soil surface, as the diagram illustrates.

There are some other issues that should be considered as well so digging and replanting correctly is highly encouraged. Read this info sheet carefully on how to plant trees and shrubs.......it pretty much nails the correct methods and should explain clearly what was not right with the current planting.

How to plant trees and shrubs.

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Comments (8)

Nessdizzle Formally 6a, now 9b Central Florida
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hmm I'm sure others on here are way more qualified to answer this than I am, but is the base of the plant lower than ground level? If so I'd maybe bring it up a bit more and then water it in to help with the shock of moving it again...better to do now while planting is still somewhat fresh I'd assume. Also it depends on where you are...if you live anywhere like zone 6 or lower, I'd do now so it has time to settle again before any hard freezes sneak in
K
Original Author
6 years ago
I am in either zone 6b or 7, depending on who I ask :) Southern North NJ. Its roughly at teh level of the dirt where I removed the sod. This would make it level to slightly lower than the surrounding ground, I believe...
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Several Northwest Ohio communities have changed their planting specifications =====>>>> as far as i know.. OH is the clay capital of the world ... and i am not talking a bout the good clay ... as such.. i would read anything an OH resource has to say about clay ... as relevant PERHAPS.. only to their horrible clay ... just about everyone i know.. in OH ... plants only half of the rootball in the native soil.. and the other half above.. then mounds over some good soil ... sooooo .. i would take this instruction with a grain of salt.. unless you can verify it applies to your soil ... i would prefer you talk to your local Ag office... and get there opinion of how it may or may not apply to your region ... as far as i know.. it might be spot on for your region.. i am just saying.. it might not ... in my sand.. everything goes in at ground level.. or above... if i mess it up.. its just not an issue.. as my soil is extremely forgiving ... and if it ends up too deep.. i can flood the area .. and in spring or fall .. simply pull the plant up an inch or so .. as the sand turns basically into quicksand ... bet you clay peeps cant do that.. lol ... so make sure any reference you come across is applicable to your application ken
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Nessdizzle Formally 6a, now 9b Central Florida
6 years ago
This is what the base should look like
Nessdizzle Formally 6a, now 9b Central Florida
6 years ago
Ahh see, I told you there are more qualified people on here to answer hahaha...I just googled how deep to plant viburnum and these were the pics it brought up!! Now looking at it the root flair IS too deep, so she is right :)
K
Original Author
6 years ago
I will read this. I am wondering I I should just pull the plants out and pour a couple more gags of top soil under and replant. Seems now would be the time vs waiting for a problem
Nessdizzle Formally 6a, now 9b Central Florida
6 years ago
I'd do now, 10 days isn't that long that they've been in the ground...better to do early rather than when they've grown comfortable to where they are...just rem to water them in good afterwards they'll likely be fine
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Stop adding amendments and replant in same unmodified native soil that came out of holes. Otherwise if you suspect they are too deep now wait until all that organic material you have added decomposes and the back-fill shrinks as a result.

http://drought.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/06/Horticultural-Techniques-for-successful-plant-establishment.pdf

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