Tree and shrub planting methods have changed in the past ten years.
The illustration below shows how to plant trees and shrubs correctly.
1) Find the trunk flare—where the trunk and roots meet. Peel back or loosen the top of the burlap and rope. Push the soil away from the trunk until you find the trunk flare. If the tree or shrub is in a large pot, follow the same procedure to find the trunk flare. You may need to remove the plant from the pot to do this.
2)
 Dig a slope-sided hole at least 3 times as wide as the diameter of the root ball/pot. Whether the tree or shrub is in burlap or a pot, measure from the trunk flare to the bottom of the root ball. That measurement is how deep the planting hole should be.
3)
 After removing the plant from a pot, use a clean knife to score vertical cuts down the root ball 4 or 5 times about 1" deep (this prevents the roots from growing in a circular girdling fashion).
4)
 If the plant is in burlap, place it in the hole and remove all of the rope and as much of the burlap as possible.
5)
 Place the plant in the center of the hole on top of the undisturbed soil. Use some of the soil from the hole to steady the plant in an upright position.
6)
 Mix the remaining soil with Soil Perfector and Cotton bur Compost or peat moss (according to pkg instructions) and use this to backfill the hole. Press or lightly tamp the soil making sure the top of the root ball is even with or slightly above the soilline.
7)
 Water the root ball and surrounding soil thoroughly to settle soil and remove air pockets.
8)
 Mulch around plant 2 inches deep with hardwood mulch. Do not mound up or place mulch against the trunk.
Caring for New Trees and Shrubs
Watering
 Making sure your plants have enough moisture is one of the most critical responsibilities for your young plant's success. Morning is the best time to water to help avoid fungus problems. The soil should be moist but not saturated. Signs of insufficient watering can are drooping, wilting or dry and burnt leaves. Signs of too much watering can be yellowing of leaves or puddling of water. Summer months are the most critical time to keep your plants well watered. Recommended methods for watering include soaker hoses, Treegators, sprinklers and watering wands. Typically we have enough rainfall in fall, winter and early spring such that watering is not necessary, but additional watering may be needed during dry spells. One inch per week is a recommended amount.
Fertilizing
Many natural fertilizers can be used in the season after-planting-such as Pro-start Organic, Tree-tone, Holly-tone, or Plant-tone. However it is best to wait one full growing season for high nitrogen fertilizers. Best time to fertilize is in the early spring for good foliage growth and flowering. Follow instructions for proper amounts.
Pruning
Tree and Shrub pruning is best done in late winter. However, winter damage and dead wood should be removed in early spring. Wait until spring flowering trees and shrubs have finished blooming before pruning. You can prune new growth as it grows during the spring and early summer months.