The saddest call we get is the three-year-old tree that never took. Almost always it was planted too deep, in a hole shaped like a bucket, in unamended clay. Planting is cheap compared to the tree – doing it right is the whole point. Correct depth at the root flare, a wide planting hole, proper backfill, mulch that does not touch the trunk, and water on a schedule.
Trees matched to your soil, light, space, and what you want – shade, privacy, or spring show.
Quality nursery trees with sound root systems, delivered and handled properly.
Wide holes, correct depth at the root flare, and backfill that lets roots establish in clay.
Staked only when needed, mulched in a ring – never a volcano against the trunk.
A first-two-seasons watering schedule and our guarantee on the planting.
A tree is the only part of your landscape that gets more valuable every year – if it is the right species in the right place. We look at your soil, sun, overhead wires, and how much space the tree will want at forty years old, then recommend from the species that demonstrably thrive in Ottawa: natives like bur oak and serviceberry, proven shade trees like honey locust and autumn blaze maple, ornamentals like ivory silk lilac, and cedars for privacy hedging.
Correct planting looks slower and costs a bit more than dig-drop-done, and it is why our trees live: a wide, shallow hole instead of a deep bucket; the root flare at grade, never buried; roots teased loose from the pot spiral; clay backfill amended so roots venture out; mulch in a flat ring, never piled on the trunk; staking only when the site is windy enough to need it.
A newly planted tree lives on a watering schedule for its first two seasons – deep and infrequent, not daily sprinkles. Every planting leaves with a one-page care plan, and we guarantee our plantings, so if a tree fails despite proper care, we make it right.
It depends mostly on the tree's size. Smaller ornamentals installed often run a few hundred dollars each; larger-caliper shade trees cost more, and cedar privacy rows are priced per foot. Your free quote lists the tree, size, and full installed price in writing.
Proven performers for zone 5 and clay include serviceberry, ivory silk lilac, honey locust, autumn blaze maple, bur oak, and eastern cedar for hedging – among plenty of others. We match the species to your yard rather than planting whatever the truck has.
Spring and early fall are best – the tree roots in mild soil before summer heat or hard frost. Fall planting is underrated in Ottawa and often establishes better.
Yes – cedar rows are one of our most requested plantings. We space them for a dense hedge, set them back properly from the line, and leave you a watering plan that gets them through establishment.