Sapling Growing

Growing your first tree sapling doesn't have to be difficult!

Thirty or more years ago, before I was alive, my father planted a tree sapling with his father's father in their back yard. Now, thirty years later, the tree is absolutely massive and stands taller than my father's house.


Maybe that's not the outcome you want. My father and grandfather weren't exactly gardeners - they were just having fun. But there are a lot of things to consider if you decide to plant a tree.



Do you want an oak, how hard is it to keep young trees alive, what is the time to plant, how good is the soil? These are all tips to explore in this article so you can plant your tree today. (Don't plant an oak - I kid, I kid).

How to Start Growing Your First Sapling

Planting a new tree sapling comes down to two major steps:

  1. Planting the tree sapling
  2. Taking care of the tree sapling



Of course, each of these steps could have a how-to guide in themselves so we'll try to give you the crash course. 

Young sport growing through dirt

How To Plant A Tree Sapling

Note: Don't let the roots of the new sapling dry out. Dry roots equal dead trees. That's our motto at least (well, one of them!).


  1. Choose a good spot in your yard for the new tree. Now, A LOT goes into this - how much sunlight the tree needs, how close is the tree to the foundation of the house, potential utility lines in the ground, the ADULT size of the tree. Do not take this step lightly.
  2. Get out the old spade and dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of your sapling and as deep as the root ball itself. Generally speaking, this is the best advice we can give. Tree roots should begin just below the surface of the soil.
  3. Inspect the root ball. If the root system was growing in a pot, it may have grown around and towards the center of the pot. You want to gently spread these roots out so they will grow straight into the ground. For smaller saplings, this shouldn't be a huge problem
  4. Pace the sapling into the hole. Fill in the hole with the soil you previously dug out. Every now and then poke around the soil to get rid of the air pockets.
  5. Mulch around the tree about 4" deep. Leave some space between the mulch and the trunk of the new sapling to avoid unwanted disease.


Okay, so the sapling is now in the ground and it's ready to start growing. The easy part is over, and now it's time for the long haul that is the tree's life. 

Caring For A Tree Sapling

  1. Water regularly and deep enough. What does that mean? For a new tree, you want to water the soil about 1" deep once a week. Water it during dry periods for the first three years of it's life. If you aren't confident in your watering abilities, consider looking into an irrigation system.
  2. If you planted the sapling on fertile ground, then you don't need to fertilize. However, a general rule of thumb for trees is about once per year depending on the soil, and how well the tree is growing.
  3. We covered this above but make sure you don't over-mulch and place too much next to the trunk of the tree. Water trapped next to the trunk will encourage rot and other unwanted ailments.
  4. Prune! Pruning is an in-depth topic we'll have to cover in the future but in general, prune away dead, dying, broken or rubbing tree limbs. Trim any limbs competing against the tree's leading limb (if you can't tell, please ask a professional). The best time to trim is when your tree is dormant during the winter. Deciduous trees won't have any leaves while evergreens will still have their foliage.
Girl with flowers words say Growing Your First Sapling

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Is A Tree Sapling?

    A sapling is just a young, or immature, tree. What young and immature means will vary among species but in general, it is not fully grown, yet it is no longer a seedling. 


    Saplings are usually between one and five years old, and can be anywhere from 2' to 15'. They'll typically not have any flowers, their trunks will be flexible with smooth bark (as opposed to mature trees which have rigid trunks and darker bark).



  • Why Should I Grow A Sapling?

    Growing a sapling into full maturity is one of the most rewarding things a gardener can do. It takes years for a tree to reach its maturity - that's a lot of blood, sweat and toil. There is no instant gratification when it comes to growing a tree but that is what makes it worth it. 


    It shouldn't be taken lightly. You are going to have a tree in your backyard for a long time. You should plant a young sapling if you are passionate about the earth and gardening. Everyone has their own reasons.

  • Is Growing A Sapling A Good Idea?

    Depends on your motivation, your will power and your love of the earth and gardening, in general. See the question above, 'Why should I grow a sapling?' 


    Growing a sapling is a great way to help the environment. Trees produce oxygen, which we need to breathe. They also help to prevent soil erosion and provide homes for animals. Plus, it's easy to do! Just follow the steps outlined above.


    Growing a tree will always be a good idea for the environment as a whole, the question you need to ask yourself, is it the best for your environment, or the environment you plan to plant it.

  • How Long Does It Take To Grow A Sapling?

    In the sapling part of the tree life cycle, it usually takes between one and five years for a sapling to grow into a fully-grown tree. 

  • Do I Need To Water My Sapling?

    Yes, you should water your sapling regularly, especially during dry periods. Unless you live in an area with tons of rain, you need to be at least once per week (every 7 to 10 days). And gon't give it a light watering - water it about 1" deep.

  • How Often Should I Fertilize My Sapling?

    You should fertilize your sapling once a year with compost or manure.

  • What If My Sapling Isn't Growing?

    If your sapling isn't growing, check to make sure that it is getting enough sunlight and water. Make sure there are no signs of infection or rodent abuse. 


    Also, make sure you are fertilizing it once a year, especially if the soil you planted in wasn't heavy in nutrients. What was the soil's pH? Are there other plants robbing the tree? Tons of variables to consider. 


    If you have followed all of these steps and the sapling still isn't growing, you may need to replant it in a different location.

  • Should You Plant Your Tree Saplings The In The Garden?

    Choosing a spot to plant your tree can be complicated. The location could have legal ramifications or it could cut into your utility lines.


    Saplings need sunlight to grow, and they may not get enough if they are planted in the garden. Plus, they can quickly become overgrown and take up too much space. 


    It's better to plant them in a spot that gets lots of sunlight, such as near a fence or in an open area of your yard. Plant your sapling in an area better suited to keep the roots healthy, and to protect your other plants from the tree. 


    You also need to pay attention to what species you are planting in case it has any affect on the soil. 



  • Is Growing A Sapling Dangerous?

    Trees are inherently dangerous in that they are massive 'structures' that can fall, though uncommon.


    Growing the sapling might not be dangerous to start but if this tree becomes massive over the course of a lifetime and is right next to buildings, it could start causing some problems.


    The tree my father planted eventually grew up and was struck by lightning. Half of the tree fell down and nearly hit the house he grew up in. This might be a worst case scenario over a lengthy enough period of time but it is something to consider.


    Also consider that most garden or yard trees aren't going to grow big enough to be an issue - especially if you pick accordingly,

That's pretty much it! Growing a sapling is a great way to help the environment and it's a fun thing to do! Just follow the steps outlined above and be patient. Watching your tree mature into an adult tree is one of the most rewarding things a gardener can do.

Saplings: they are only the beginning

If you plan on planting a sapling, you are going to need the right tools. Check out our guide on tree planting tools below!

Tools For Planting Trees!