Step by step guide to tree planting with Floyd the Frog

1 Hi. I'm Floyd the Frog and I'm going to show you how to plant a tree.	2 Choose British trees. They support lots of insects for birds and mammals to feed on.
3 Decide where you want to plant the tree. Remember to get the landowner's permission. You could plant a small tree, known as a whip, or a larger tree. Small trees grow better and are cheap to buy. Big trees, however, are more noticeable.	4 As long as it's the planting season, November to March, dig a hole, wider and deeper than the tree's root ball.
5 Water the hole and add a forkful of compost or leaf mould.	6 Put your tree into the hole, spreading the roots carefully.
7 Now cover the roots with soil and fill up the hole, firming down with your heel. This will leave a shallow depression to help when watering.	8 If your tree is quite large it will need a timber stake and tree ties.

Aftercare

• Water your tree well after planting and regularly during the first two growing seasons, March to October.
• A mulch of straw, bracken or leaf litter around the tree will help to keep it moist and slows down weed growth.
• Remove any weeds around the base of the tree regularly.
• Your stake can be removed when the tree is two to three years old.

Trees which will benefit your local environment

Visit the British Trees website, native tree guide section, for trees which will benefit your local environment.

For additional information on trees you can visit these websites

• Forestry Commission
• Arboricultural Association
• Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
• Natural England

Other Floyd's Guides available:

• Floyd's guide to butterfly gardening
• Floyd's guide to making a wildlife pond
• Floyd's guide to bird and bat box making
• Floyd's guide to wildlife gardening

For further information contact

Derby City Council
Regeneration and Community
Roman House
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1XB

Telephone 01332 255021 Minicom 01332 256666 Fax 01332 255989 email wildderby@derby.gov.uk