Part 5/7:
With the tree positioned upright in the hole, carefully fill in around it with the prepared soil and compost mixture. As you do this, firm the soil down gently to secure the tree in place. Expect that once the soil settles, it may look higher than the surrounding area, but this is normal.
Keep an eye on the graft union (the area where the tree variety has been grafted onto the rootstock) and ensure it remains above the soil level to avoid suffocation of the grafted part.
Special Considerations for Bare Root Trees
Bare root trees require some special considerations. They need to be soaked in water for several hours or even days before planting to maintain moisture around the roots, which are the most important part of the tree.