The top of the soil ball should be two to three inches above the surrounding soil. In poorly drained sites, the top one-third of the soil ball should stick above the surrounding soil.

This novel root ball stabilization system has been used recently in tree plantings performed by the City of Jacksonville. Finally, we come to our last misperception.

And once that tree and root ball are transplanted to the landscape ... the backfill will not dry out nearly as fast as the soilless container mix used in container production. So while the watering ...

If the sides of the soil ball are a mass of roots, carefully shave off the outer one-half to one inch of the soil ball with a sharp spade or saw. Place the tree in the hole.