There's nothing quite like the living beauty that trees and shrubs provide. Properly planted and cared for, they'll reward you with many years of pleasure. Here are the "how-to's" of successful tree and shrub planting.

Dig the planting hole three to four times as wide as the root ball and as deep. This is true with balled and burlapped plants also. Add organic matter such as peat or compost to the soil removed from the hole, and thoroughly mix it in. This combination of soil/organic matter is referred to as backfill. The organic matter should comprise up to a third of the backfill for most plants and up to half of the backfill for acid loving plants.

Remove the plant from its container. If the plant's roots are tightly packed or circling around the bottom of the root ball, use a knife or your fingers to free them. This will prevent the roots from spiraling around and strangling the plant.

If the plant is balled and burlapped, remove only the twine. Pull the burlap down around the sides of the ball so no burlap is above the soil line.

Set the plant in the hole, making sure it's straight. The top of the rootball should be slightly above ground level. Add some of the backfill around the roots, then add water to help the soil mix settle quickly. Alternate soil and water until the backfill is even with the surrounding soil. Rake the soil level around the planting site. Cover the area with a one- to two-inch layer of organic mulch. Then form a basin with a 2-inch mound of soil.

Fertilize with a starter fertilizer to ensure the best results. Water the newly-planted tree or shrub well. Regular watering should continue throughout the first growing season.

Stake a new tree to keep it from bending in the wind. Don't make it too tight, though. The tree needs to sway slightly.