Season

• Trees grow for many years, but they need the right planting season for best initial growth and establishment. The Purdue University Department of Horticulture recommends planting trees in early spring before new growth begins, to give them gentle, frost-free starts for quick root establishment.
  
  

Planting Soil

• Give all trees the best chance at healthy growth with rich, crumbly and quick-draining soil. Prepare a 2- to 3-foot-wide site to a depth of 12 to 14 inches. Turn 6 to 7 inches of organic compost into the soil to give trees efficient starting nutrition. This loose, crumbly soil also allows for best root growth and establishment, for strong wood and foliage.
  
  

Site and Sun

• Trees grow spindly and weak in inappropriate growing locations, with too little sun and space. Move trees to sunny, quick-draining sites with six to eight hours of full sun and good air movement, and give the trees 15 to 20 feet of space. Full air and sun exposure encourages fuller, healthier growth.
  
  

Maintenance

• Maintain trees with ongoing fertilizer, compost and watering schedules. Water each tree with 6 inches of water per week to keep the growth lush. Mix new compost amendments into the soil every spring to maintain soil quality and drainage. Give trees complete 5-10-10 or 20-5-10 fertilizer in spring to encourage wood and foliage growth, recommends The Ohio State University Extension. Follow manufacturer directions in regard to fertilizer quantity and application. The Extension site also advises running a soil test every two or three years to determine optimum fertilizer type and rate of application.
  
  

Pruning

• Prune spindly or unhealthy trees in spring, before new growth appears, to help them save their resources. Cut out diseased or unthrifty branches at the trunk and trim every branch to just above the next growing joint. Trimming encourages new, stronger growth in the trunk and foliage and rids the tree of energy-draining disease.