Arborist Consulting & Permits
Tree Planting and Species Selection in Victoria and Saanich
Oakstead Tree & Property Care plans tree planting for homes and properties in Victoria, Saanich and the Saanich Peninsula. The team helps choose a species suited to the site and your goals, inspects nursery stock for defects, pests and disease, and specifies planting at the correct depth with mulch and support where needed, in spring or fall when roots establish best. The planting itself is referred to vetted local partners.
In plain words
We help you choose a tree that suits your yard and goals. We check young trees for damage, pests and disease. Plant in spring or fall, when roots settle in well. Vetted local partners do the planting.
Planting a tree is one of the most generous things you can do for the future of your property and your neighbourhood.
The best times to plant trees are in the spring, once soil temperatures are warm enough, and again in the fall, while soils are still slightly warm so that the roots can establish themselves before the winter.
The importance of selecting the correct species for the site cannot be overemphasized. In particular, match the size and site requirements to the tree. Tree nursery stock comes as bare root, balled and burlapped, or in pots. It’s always good to have a close examination of the tree’s condition. Examine the branches, trunk, and root collar carefully for defects, signs of insect pests, or disease.
Balled and burlapped trees and potted trees often require at least two strong people to move.
At the planting site, ensure that your planting hole is only “just deep enough”, so that the root collar is exactly at the original grade of the soil. Planting hole width varies depending on soil conditions. If the native soil is good, there should be no reason to purchase soil. Depending on the tree’s condition, consider providing support for the tree, but remember not to leave it on for more than a few years once it is established. Place 2 inches of mulch around the base of the tree to keep it free of grass and weed competition and preserve moisture, but do not place it against the tree trunk.
If you’d like an arborist to look at your trees or site in the Saanich and Victoria area, please give us a call at (250) 888-9222 or use the request form on our Get a Quote page and we’ll get right back to you.
Photos of hands-on work below are from Oakstead's earlier field work, from before it focused on consulting.
Tree Planting: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to plant a tree in Victoria?
Spring and fall are the best times. Plant in spring once the soil has warmed enough, or in fall while the soil is still slightly warm, so the roots can establish themselves before winter. Avoid planting in the heat of summer or when the ground is frozen.
How deep should a new tree be planted?
The planting hole should be only just deep enough that the root collar, where the trunk flares into the roots, sits exactly at the original soil grade. Planting too deep is a common cause of poor growth. Hole width depends on soil conditions.
Should I mulch or stake a newly planted tree?
Spread about 2 inches of mulch around the base to hold moisture and reduce grass and weed competition, keeping it off the trunk. Support may help depending on the tree, but remove stakes within a few years once the tree is established.
What should I check before buying a tree from a nursery?
Nursery trees come bare root, balled and burlapped, or potted. Look closely at the branches, trunk and root collar for defects, insect pests or disease, and make sure the species' mature size and site needs match where you plan to plant it.
Ready to talk to a Certified Arborist?
We respond to every request. Serving the Saanich Peninsula, Greater Victoria and the Cowichan Valley.