The success of newly planted trees in the landscape depends not only on proper planting techniques but also on site selection and follow-up care, noted organizers of an upcoming Penn State Extension webinar, “Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success,” slated for noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
The webinar is aimed at native tree and shrub sale customers, environmental stewards and volunteers, landowners, watershed associations and environmental groups, and anyone interested in learning about proper tree-planting techniques.
Members of Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward volunteer program, extension educators and a community tree specialist from the Bureau of Forestry at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will lead the webinar. Participants can learn how to choose the best planting locations for trees and shrubs. This includes understanding microsite conditions and the size of a planting area to ensure successful growth.
Presenters will discuss various types of tree plantings, focusing on containerized trees and the species featured in the 2025 Master Watershed Steward Native Tree and Shrub Sale. Participants who purchased a tree from the sale will receive a $5 coupon code for free access to the webinar.
The session will cover:
— How to match the 2025 tree and shrub sale species to the right planting site.
— Proper tree planting techniques, focused on containerized trees and shrubs, including planting depth and root management.
— Ongoing maintenance and aftercare, including watering, pruning and damage inspection.
Registration by noon Sept. 9 is required to receive the link to access the webinar. The registration fee is $5.
Registrants will receive a link to the recorded webinar within 10 business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/proper-tree-planting-webinar.
The Penn State Master Watershed Steward program provides extensive training in watershed management to volunteers who, in return, educate the community about watershed stewardship based on university research and recommendations. The program was established to strengthen local capacity for management and protection of watersheds, streams and rivers by educating and empowering volunteers across the commonwealth.
