Tree Planting & Species Selection in Frankfort, KY

Tree Planting and Species Selection in Frankfort, KY

Nearly every expensive mature-tree problem we deal with traces back to a decision made in the first three years of that tree’s life — wrong species, wrong place, or planted too deep. Planting is the cheapest tree work there is and it decides everything that follows.

Planting depth is the number one killer

A tree should show a visible flare where the trunk widens into the roots, and that flare belongs at or slightly above the soil surface. If the trunk goes into the ground like a telephone pole, it is too deep — and it will decline slowly for a decade.

This happens constantly because trees are frequently too deep in the nursery container already. The fix is to find the true flare before planting and set the depth from that, not from the top of the root ball.

The rest of the short list

• Dig wide, not deep — a broad shallow hole, roughly two to three times the root ball width
• Remove wire, burlap, and twine from the upper root ball; do not leave it buried
• Cut circling roots rather than coiling them back into the hole
• Backfill with the native soil — amended backfill discourages roots from leaving the hole
• Mulch two to four inches deep, pulled back off the trunk, never volcanoed
• Water deeply and infrequently through the first two summers
• Stake only if genuinely needed, and remove stakes after one season

Choose for the site, not the sale

The most common planting mistake after depth is putting a large-maturing shade tree eight feet from the house or under a power line. The tree does not stay the size it is at purchase.

Look up and look down before choosing: overhead lines, the roof, the drive, the septic field, and how much root room actually exists. Then pick a species whose mature size fits.

Species that do well in Central Kentucky

Oak, sugar maple, hackberry, Kentucky coffeetree, and tulip poplar for shade where there is room. Serviceberry, redbud, and native crabapple for smaller spaces and spring flower.

And variety matters. Communities that planted one species everywhere are learning that lesson through emerald ash borer right now. Full species notes are in common Central Kentucky trees.

Common questions

City of Frankfort, KY publishes local government services and contact information for the area.

When is the best time to plant in Kentucky?

Fall is generally ideal — roots establish while the soil is still warm and the canopy is not demanding water. Spring works well too. Mid-summer planting is possible but demands committed watering.

How often should I water a new tree?

Deeply and infrequently rather than a little every day, through the first two growing seasons. Shallow frequent watering produces shallow roots.

Should I fertilize at planting?

Usually not. A new tree needs to establish roots, not push top growth. Correct depth, mulch, and water matter far more.

How close to the house can I plant a shade tree?

Further than most people do. Choose the species by its mature size and consider the roof, the foundation, the drive, and any overhead lines before siting it.

Related: Central Kentucky tree species · best time to plant · Bradford pear · root problems · is volcano mulching hurting your tree? · winter frost cracks. Back to Frankfort Tree Pros.

Frankfort Tree Pros · Serving Frankfort, Georgetown, Versailles, Lawrenceburg & Franklin County, KY · Call or text (859) 310-1209

Last updated August 2026