Hey Wendy,

It is scary the first time you get a ‘stick’ in the mail and wanted a plant. You ask yourself, will it live, is it the right plant, what will it like… etc.

Keep the roots moist until ready to plant. If you intend to keep it indoors, then get your pot ready with a HOMOGENEOUS mixture of good potting soil(s). Do not stratify rocks on the bottom (this is not good). The only thing that goes in the pot is the soil mixture, and the bare root tree.

Wet the soil until the water drains out the bottom – then make a hole in the center of the dirt, big enough for your plants root system. Keep the Crown of the roots just slightly above the level of the soil, so most of the roots are in the soil. Try not to break any part of the roots. Once you have it in the hole, gently flush the soil into the hole around the roots. Using a trickle of water will cause the dirt to fill in around the roots. This is what I do, and that way I do not break the roots by pressing the dirt into them.

Believe it or not, your stick will grow!

If you are planting outside – pretty much the same process. Give yourself at least 3 feet diameter so the roots may easily grow through your soil.