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As soon as spring rolls in, yards start buzzing with possibility. Garden centers are packed, neighbors are hauling home leafy newcomers and suddenly that landscaping project jumps to the top of the weekend list. Whether you’re upgrading your curb appeal or finally giving a young tree a better spot to grow, transplanting feels like one of the most rewarding tasks of the season.
But before you grab a shovel, there’s one surprisingly common mistake that trips up even well-meaning gardeners—and it’s been making the rounds in a viral video by @growing.in.the.garden for a reason. In the clip, a tree is planted nice and deep in the ground, which experts say is the first step to tree transplantation issues.
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The Biggest Tree Transplanting Mistake Experts Warn You Never to Make
According to experts, the biggest mistake you can make when transplanting a tree is planting it too deep. It’s an easy error to make. After all, deeper seems more secure, right? But trees aren’t meant to be buried like fence posts. When the base of the trunk—called the root flare—ends up under the soil, the tree can’t function the way it should.
That flare, where the trunk gently widens at the base, needs to sit at or slightly above ground level. If it’s buried, roots can struggle to get oxygen, excess moisture can build up, and over time the tree may weaken, rot or simply fail to thrive.
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What Gardeners Are Saying About This Tree Transplanting Tip
The viral video struck a chord with viewers, and the comments quickly filled with people sharing their own lessons learned. “Leave the top roots at least one inch above ground for the plant to breathe,” one person wrote.
Another helpful gardener commented, “I like to plant mine about an inch or two above the ground line. Over a few months the soil settles down to being at the same level as the ground. I’ve planted many trees at ground level in the past and they always end up sinking lower than the ground level. After trying this I’ve had good success!”
The tricky part is that many trees from nurseries are already sitting a bit low in their pots, making it even easier to repeat the mistake at home. A quick check before planting—brushing away extra soil to find that root flare—can make all the difference.
The fix itself is simple. Dig a hole that’s wider than the root ball but no deeper, position the tree so the base flare is visible, and avoid piling mulch up against the trunk. It might look slightly raised at first, but that’s exactly what you want.
Or, as seasoned gardeners like to say: plant it a little high, and your tree will be just fine. Plant it too low, and you may be starting over next spring.
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This story was originally published by Dengarden on Mar 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Dengarden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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