Planting trees is good!
Whether you are planting new trees to enhance your property or to replace trees that were removed due to age, insect, disease, or storm damage. Your next tree is going to be a part of your home and life, for decades — and for future generations. Planting new trees is also a great opportunity to increase the diversity of Eagan's urban forest. Ensuring that new trees reach their maximum potential begins with proper selection, placement, planting, and post establishment care. Below are a few resources to help guide you to successful tree planting.
How to Plant
Review the following links and tabs for information about tree planting. Still have questions – please contact the
Minnesota DNR Forestry resources Planting trees and seedlings
International Society of Arboriculture Tree Owner Information - Planting a Tree
Arbor Day Foundation Tree Planting Resources
Where to Plant
There is a lot to consider when planting a new tree. To avoid future issues, residents are encouraged to consult the Where to Plant Handout (pdf) with staff recommendations on where to plant new trees.
Visit the Dakota County Geographic Information System (GIS) website to search for your address and access aerial photographs of the property.
.png)
Mulching
Mulching is one of the most beneficial practices a homeowner can use for better tree health. Mulches are applied to the soil surface to maintain moisture and improve soil conditions. However, if misapplied, mulch may have little, or even negative, impact on the trees in your landscape.
The benefits of proper mulching include:
- Reduces soil moisture loss through evaporation.
- Controls weed germination and growth.
- Insulates soil, protecting roots from extreme summer and winter temperatures.
Learn more about proper mulching
Watering
Watering is an important factor in tree survival is providing the right amount of water. The first 3 years are most critical, but pay attention to watering needs throughout the tree’s life. Frequency depends on soil drainage. Soils that drain quickly will require more frequent watering than those that drain slowly. The best way to know how often and how much to water is to check the soil moisture at 6 inches below the surface. Water when dry. First 3 years after planting: If the soil is dry, provide about 1-1/2 gallons of water per diameter inch of the trunk. All other years: Because soil type and weather conditions influence the demand for water, irrigation schedules and amounts vary.
Learn more about watering
Pruning
Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Unlike forest trees, landscape trees need a higher level of care to maintain structural integrity and aesthetics. Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology because improper pruning can create lasting damage or shorten the tree’s life.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources and Links for Tree Selection Ideas and After Care
City of Eagan
We encourage residents to plant trees that are adapted to grow in our region. We recommend residents survey trees in their neighborhood and try to avoid those that everyone plants. Plant tree species that are unique and different from what your neighbors have planted. One of the goals of planting a diversity of tree species is to avoid losing a large number of trees to future, unidentified, invasive, diseases and insects. Please contact the
University of Minnesota
Minnesota DNR
Tree Care Contractors and Professional Advice
