Supporting Trees and Plant Guarantee
Please Scroll down to view our Guarantee terms and the guide to follow!
Our trees are cultivated in open fields to facilitate faster growth compared to potting. We tend to their growth until they reach a certain height and thickness that is suitable for our stock requirements. When the trees reach this stage, they are removed from the ground as root-ball trees while dormant. The next step involves containerising the trees by adding their root-balls to large pots, which are then filled with vermiculite and compost. It takes some time for fresh roots to establish in the pot's soil. Once the trees have developed strong roots in the pot, they are available for sale to our customers.
To ensure the desired tree shape, our full standard trees are initially trained with a thick bamboo cane. The leading stem is guided up the cane until it reaches a height of around 190-200cm, where the canopy begins. While this technique helps create a straight, single stem, it also serves a crucial function in supporting the young stem from breaking or bending in strong winds. It is crucial to leave the bamboo cane in place until the stem becomes strong and rigid, which typically occurs when the tree has a 14-16cm girth for soft wood trees such as Magnolia grandiflora.
While it is important to remove the bamboo cane at the appropriate time, it is crucial to keep it in place for young trees as they are prone to breaking in storms. Some customers have received advice to remove the bamboo cane immediately after planting, but we strongly disagree with this recommendation. In our experience, leaving the cane in place until the tree is strong enough to support itself is necessary. Removing the cane too soon could result in the young tree breaking in strong winds.
To ensure the safety of the young tree, we recommend securing the bamboo cane with waterproof electrical tape. This will also allow the tree stem to safely expand over time. While bamboo is a strong material, it will eventually weaken over time due to the elements and constant support of the tree's stem. Therefore, it is important to check the bamboo cane's condition as autumn approaches and replace it if necessary. We suggest using black electrical tape for securing the bamboo cane.
Planting Kits
Now that you have successfully prevented your tree from snapping, let's discuss how to protect your semi-mature trees from being pushed over by strong winds. For this, you'll need a planting kit that offers a different and additional solution to the bamboo cane.
A planting kit helps to firmly anchor your semi-mature tree in place to prevent the roots from moving. In the event of heavy winds, the root can be rocked, and new root growth can be ripped away from the original root. This can cause trees to fail to establish or even die.
Therefore, a planting kit is necessary to keep your semi-mature trees secure and ensure their proper growth and development.
Planting Guide
To give your tree the best possible start, we’ve created a simple step-by-step planting guide with clear photos. As long as these steps were followed and photographed at the time of planting, your tree will be covered by our planting guarantee. If the tree fails to establish due to a planting-related issue, and you can provide the photo evidence when making a claim, we’ll offer a replacement or credit—no fuss. It might be a little pedantic but we are only willing to make a loss if you are willing to put 100% effort it. This way, you can plant with confidence knowing you’re supported from day one.
Step 1
Drainage test
Before planting, we need to see you have considered drainage, as this is why the vast majority of failed plants, fail. YOU WILL THANK YOURSELF FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE!! NEW BUILDS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE BAD
We can not really ask for proof of this as anyone can just dig a hole so no photos required, just please do if unsure.
Step 2 -
Dig a Proper Hole
Dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the pot and about the same depth. Loosen the soil at the bottom and sides with a garden fork – this helps roots grow outwards easily.
If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy:
- Mix the dug-out soil with well-rotted compost to improve structure.
- blood, fish & bone fertiliser to give the plant a nutrient boost.
Step 3
Prepare the Plant (PHOTO REQUIRED)
Take the plant out of its pot gently. Check the roots:
If they’re tightly circling around the root ball, tease them apart with your fingers or a hand fork.
This encourages them to grow outward into the soil instead of staying bunched up.
SPECIFIC THINGS I WANT TO SEE
- COMPOST USED
- TOPSOIL USED
- FUNGI ROOT GROW FOR EXTRA POINTS
Step 4
Place in the hole (Photo required for guarantee)
Put the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface — not deeper. The base of the stem should be just above ground level, with the first roots (root flare) slightly covered.
SPECIFIC THINGS I WANT TO SEE
- top of root ball sits at surface level
Step 5
Backfill and firm in (Photo required for guarantee)
Refill the hole with the original soil (and compost mix, if used), packing gently around the roots in layers. Firm it down with your hands or foot — but don’t press directly on the root ball.
SPECIFIC THINGS I WANT TO SEE
- Compost MIXED with topsoil, not just compost.
step 6
Stake the tree (Clear stem trees only) (Photo required for guarantee) -
How to Stake a Newly Planted Tree
Staking helps newly planted trees establish strong roots by preventing them from rocking in the wind while still allowing a small amount of natural movement.
1. Position the Stakes
Place two stakes on opposite sides of the tree, just outside the rootball. This avoids damaging the roots while giving the tree stable support.
The stakes should be driven into firm ground, far enough from the trunk so they do not interfere with the rootball but still provide support.
As a guide, most 5-foot stakes are driven around 60cm (about 2ft) into the ground, leaving the top of the stake roughly chest height above ground.
Use a mallet or post rammer to drive the stakes vertically into the soil. The stakes must be secure and stable. In raised beds or newly filled soil it may help to drive them slightly deeper to ensure they are firm.
2. Attach the Tree Ties
Secure the tree to the stakes using two flexible straps or tree ties positioned roughly halfway up the trunk.
One strap should sit slightly higher than the other so the pressure is spread across a larger area of the trunk. From above, the tie should form a figure-of-eight shape, creating a small buffer between the tree and the stake.
The aim is to hold the tree upright while still allowing a small amount of movement, which helps the trunk strengthen naturally.
3. Check the Tension
The straps should be snug but not tight.
They should prevent the tree from leaning or flopping in the wind, but they must not cut into the bark or restrict growth. You should still be able to gently twist the trunk slightly — this small movement is beneficial for the tree’s development.
4. Ongoing Maintenance
Check the ties after strong winds or heavy rain.
Every few months, inspect the straps to ensure they are not rubbing or becoming embedded in the trunk as the tree grows. Adjust them if necessary.
Tree stakes are only temporary support. Once the tree is well established and can stand firmly on its own, the stakes and ties should be removed, usually after two to three growing seasons.
step 7
Final Tidy up! Mulch the base and double check the rootball is firmly in the ground (Photo required for guarantee)
Spread a 5–8 cm layer of mulch (like compost, bark, or leaf mould) around the base to:
Double check the sides are packed in with no air pockets and the top of the rootball is firmly level with the rest of the ground
Keep moisture in
Stop weeds growing
Protect the roots from temperature swings
Important: Keep mulch 10 cm away from the stem to prevent rotting.