When I was a kid I used to wonder if you were to dig a hole all the way through the middle of the earth to the other side, when you got to the middle, would you be digging up or would you be digging down? Forget about the molten rock in the middle of the earth and the effects of gravity, too. Just ponder the hole.

" /> When I was a kid I used to wonder if you were to dig a hole all the way through the middle of the earth to the other side, when you got to the middle, would you be digging up or would you be digging down? Forget about the molten rock in the middle of the earth and the effects of gravity, too. Just ponder the hole.

" />

CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 02/21/02

Dig a Perfect Hole for Your New Tree

By Mike Isbell
Georgia Extension Service

Volume XXVII
Number 1
Page 14

When I was a kid I used to wonder if you were to dig a hole all the way through the middle of the earth to the other side, when you got to the middle, would you be digging up or would you be digging down?

Forget about the molten rock in the middle of the earth and the effects of gravity, too. Just ponder the hole.

By now you should see trees for sale in nurseries and garden centers. If you buy a tree, how do you go about planting them?

Well, there's more to planting a tree than digging a pit and flinging in a tree, as in a TV commercial I just saw. The hole you dig can be the difference between life and death for the tree you plant.

Three features of the perfect hole

So what's the perfect hole?

Well, think of a saucer-shaped hole instead of a pit-shaped one.

The perfect hole has three features.

    1. The first is a compacted mound of soil in the bottom of the hole. This is where the tree's root ball rests. Position the tree to rest at the same or a slightly higher level than it's growing in the container or in the burlap ball.

      If you plant it too deep, you're going kill it.

    2. The second feature is a hole with steeply slanted sides. Don't make the sides vertical. Slant them at least at a 45- degree angle from the soil surface. This will encourage the roots to spread out into the native soil.

    3. And finally, tree-planting holes should be three times wider than the root ball, to allow the tree to get off to a fast start.

But if you're digging through the center of the earth -- well, there I go thinking again.

Mike Isbell is the Heard County extension coordinator with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Mike Isbell
University of Georgia startup CytoNest Inc. released its first commercial product this year, a fiber scaffold that optimizes cell manufacturing and tissue engineering. (Photo by Lauren Corcino) CAES News
UGA again ranks No. 1 in new research-based products 11/04/24 Brandon Ward
The University of Georgia once again ranks No. 1 among U.S. universities for the number of commercial products to market based on its research, according to an annual survey conducted by AUTM. For nine straight years, UGA has placed in the top two and has never appeared out of the Top 5 in the 11 years the survey has been reported by AUTM. UGA industry partners and startups released a record 66 new products developed from the university’s research in fiscal year 2023, on which the AUTM report is based.
University and state leaders cut the ribbon during the Science and Ag Hill dedication ceremony. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
UGA dedicates first phase of Science and Ag Hill modernization 11/01/24
The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize research and instruction facilities and infrastructure on UGA’s Science and Ag Hill. This area of campus, located just south of Sanford Stadium, includes buildings dedicated to a variety of scientific disciplines such as biology, physics, geology and agricultural sciences.
CAES doctoral students Sofia Varriano and Leniha Lagarde follow farmer Clay Brady to the pasture where many of his chickens are kept. CAES News
UGA researchers study how free-range chickens influence farm sustainability 10/31/24 Maria M. Lameiras
Researchers in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are studying how pastured and free-range chickens impact ecosystems on integrated crop-livestock farms. Supported by a $749,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, entomology doctoral student Sofia Varriano and her thesis advisor, agroecologist and systems biology Professor Bill Snyder, are testing the promise of integrated crop-livestock agriculture to increase the sustainability of smaller farms.
Kaytlyn Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. CAES News
Kaytlyn Cobb joins UGA Grand Farm to boost agricultural innovation in Georgia 10/30/24 Sean Montgomery
Growing up in north Georgia’s Franklin County, Kaytlyn Cobb knew her aspirations in agriculture would always lead her to new opportunities. Inspired by her dedicated community and diverse background, Cobb is now spearheading a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm as regional assistant director. Hired in August, Cobb hit the ground running to continue development of the fast-forming ecosystem between Grand Farm, the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and global strategic partners.
Kevan Lamm teaching undergraduate students CAES News
CAES researchers prepare students to address complex challenges of the future 10/29/24 Emily Cabrera
Over the next three years, researchers in the University of Georgia’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication aim to transform undergraduate education in agricultural and environmental sciences by integrating systems thinking — an approach that encourages students to see the bigger picture by understanding how different components within a system interact.
Thermal imaging technology could improve the production of fruits and vegetables. CAES News
Thermal imaging may help fruits, veggies stay fresher longer 10/28/24 Savannah Peat
Before your favorite produce arrives at the grocery store, it must be carefully harvested and maintained across long stretches of time. A recent University of Georgia review suggests new temperature measuring technologies could make that process much simpler, amid growing agricultural challenges fueled by fluctuating climates. Maintaining temperature, humidity and light is critical to ensuring fruits and vegetables don’t spoil or deteriorate rapidly. Temperature spikes are the root of adverse outcomes, so monitoring these changes quickly and accurately is key.