4.9★ · 290+ reviewsPlanting specialistsFully insured & bonded1-year replacement guarantee
Tree Planting & Transplanting · Columbus, OH

Grow Your Landscape with Expert Tree Planting in Columbus, OH

A tree planted wrong is a tree you'll replace. Rootwell selects the right species for your site, plants it properly with real soil prep and establishment care, and backs it with a one-year guarantee — so your new trees actually thrive.

22,000+ trees planted1-year replacement guaranteeFully insured & bonded
an arborist planting a young tree in a prepared hole
a healthy young newly planted tree staked in a yard
hands planting a tree sapling in rich soil
an arborist among young nursery trees
About Rootwell

Most Young Trees Die From Bad Planting

It's a hard truth: the majority of newly-planted trees that fail don't die of bad luck — they die of bad planting. Planted too deep, in unprepared soil, with the root ball mishandled or the wrong species chosen for the site. It happens constantly, and by the time the tree declines, the season and the money are gone.

Rootwell exists to plant trees that live. Since 2011 we've planted and transplanted more than twenty-two thousand of them across Columbus — choosing the right species for each site, preparing the soil properly, planting at the correct depth, and caring for the tree through its critical establishment year. We back it with a one-year replacement guarantee because we're confident in how we do it. When you want a tree that's still thriving in twenty years, how it goes in the ground is everything.

  • The right species for your exact site
  • Proper depth, soil prep & root care
  • Establishment care through year one
  • One-year replacement guarantee
The Rootwell Difference

The Difference Is in How It Goes In the Ground

A tree's whole future is decided in the first hour it's planted. Here's what we get right that so many get wrong.

an arborist selecting a healthy nursery tree1

The Right Tree for the Spot

We match species to your soil, space, sun, and goals — so the tree is set up to thrive, not fight its site for years.

hands planting a young tree at the correct depth2

Planted at the Right Depth

Planting too deep is the #1 killer of young trees. We plant at the correct depth so the root flare can breathe.

prepared soil in a planting hole for a new tree3

Real Soil Preparation

We prepare and amend the planting site so roots can spread and establish, instead of drowning in compacted clay.

a young tree staked and mulched after planting4

Establishment Care

Proper staking, mulching, and a watering plan through year one — the care that turns a planting into a living tree.

Why Rootwell

Why Planting Deserves a Specialist

Anyone can dig a hole. Getting a tree to survive and thrive for decades is a craft. Here's why Columbus trusts us with it.

We Plant Trees to Live

Our whole focus is survival and long-term health — not just installing a tree and walking away.

Expert Species Selection

The right tree for your exact site is half the battle. We choose species that will genuinely thrive where you plant them.

Proper Planting Technique

Correct depth, real soil prep, careful root handling — the details that determine whether a tree lives or slowly dies.

One-Year Guarantee

We back our trees with a replacement guarantee. We can, because we plant them to survive — and they do.

Fully Insured & Bonded

$1M coverage and careful crews who protect your property while we plant and transplant.

Clean, Complete Job

Site cleaned, tree staked and mulched, watering plan in hand. You're set up for success from day one.

How It Works

From Bare Spot to Thriving Tree

Getting the right tree in the ground the right way is a straightforward process with us.

1

Free Consultation

We look at your site — soil, space, sun, and your goals — and recommend the right species and approach.

2

We Source & Prep

We source healthy, quality stock and prepare the planting site properly, from soil to siting.

3

Expert Planting

We plant at the correct depth with careful root handling, then stake and mulch it for a strong start.

4

Establishment Care

We set up a watering plan and check in through the first year — with our replacement guarantee behind it all.

Est.2011 in Columbus
22,000+Trees Planted
1-YearReplacement Guarantee
4.9★Across 290+ Reviews
a thriving healthy young tree one year after planting
Our Guarantee

We Plant Trees to Live — and We Guarantee It

It's easy for a company to plant a tree, cash the check, and disappear before you find out whether it survives. We do the opposite. Every tree we plant comes with a one-year replacement guarantee: if a tree we planted doesn't make it through its first year despite proper care, we replace it.

We can offer that because of how we plant — right species, right depth, real soil prep, and genuine establishment care. It's not a gimmick; it's confidence in our work. For you, it means the money you invest in your landscape is protected, and the tree you're excited about is one we're just as committed to keeping alive. That's the difference between installing a tree and planting one.

  • One-year replacement guarantee
  • We replace trees that don't make it
  • Confidence backed by our technique
  • Your investment protected
Thriving Trees

Columbus Trusts Us to Plant Trees That Last

We wanted to plant a row of shade trees along our property but had no idea what would actually thrive in our soil. Rootwell's arborist chose the perfect species, planted them properly with real soil prep, and set up a watering plan. Two years on, all six are healthy and growing fast. They clearly know how to make trees live, not just put them in the ground.
Gordon & Alice PruettShade Tree Planting, Dublin
We needed a beautiful established maple moved from one part of the yard to another for a renovation, and everyone told us it wouldn't survive. Rootwell transplanted it carefully with the right root ball and aftercare, and it never even skipped a season. Genuinely impressive work — they saved a tree we love.
Renée OkaforTree Transplanting, Worthington
After losing a big tree to storm damage, we wanted to replant but were nervous about doing it wrong again. Rootwell walked us through species selection for our exact spot, prepped the soil properly, and planted a gorgeous young oak. Their one-year guarantee gave us total peace of mind. It's thriving.
The Delacroix FamilyReplacement Planting, Westerville
As a builder I use Rootwell for all our new-construction tree planting now. They source quality stock, plant it right, and their trees establish and survive where cheaper installs just die and have to be redone. The replacement guarantee and the survival rate make them worth every penny. A true professional partner.
Buckeye Custom HomesNew Construction, New Albany
Ready to Plant?

Book a Free Tree-Planting Consultation

A single shade tree, a row of privacy trees, a transplant, or a whole new landscape — we'll help you choose the right trees and plant them to thrive. No pressure, no obligation.

Good to Know

Tree Planting Questions, Answered

When is the best time to plant a tree?

In our climate, fall and early spring are ideal — the cooler weather and reliable moisture let a tree establish roots before it has to handle summer heat or deep winter cold. That said, with proper care trees can be planted successfully through much of the year, and container-grown stock is more forgiving than bare-root. If you're planning a planting, we'll advise on the best timing for your specific trees and site to give them the strongest start.

Why do so many newly-planted trees die?

Overwhelmingly, it's planting mistakes rather than bad luck. The most common killers are planting too deep (which suffocates the root flare), poor or compacted soil that roots can't penetrate, mishandled or circling roots, the wrong species for the site, and inadequate watering during the first year. Almost all of these are completely avoidable with proper technique — which is exactly why hiring someone who plants trees correctly, rather than just digging a hole, makes such a difference to whether your tree lives.

Can you move a tree that's already established?

Often, yes — transplanting established trees is one of our specialties. Success depends on the tree's size, species, health, and the season, and it requires digging a proper root ball, careful handling, correct replanting, and diligent aftercare. Smaller and younger trees transplant more reliably than very large ones, but we've successfully moved trees many people assumed couldn't be saved. We'll assess your specific tree honestly and tell you its real chances before you commit.

How do I choose the right tree for my yard?

That's exactly what our consultation is for. The right tree depends on your soil type, how much space and sun the spot gets, your goals (shade, privacy, flowers, fall color), and how big you want it to get. Choosing well is half the battle — the wrong species in the wrong spot will struggle no matter how well it's planted. We'll walk your site, understand what you want, and recommend species that will genuinely thrive there and give you what you're after.

What does your replacement guarantee cover?

Our one-year replacement guarantee means that if a tree we planted doesn't survive its first year despite the proper care we set up, we'll replace it. We're able to offer this because of how carefully we plant — the right species, correct depth, real soil prep, and establishment care. It's our confidence in our own work, and it protects your investment. We'll go over the specifics of the guarantee and the aftercare it depends on when we plant your trees.

Do I need to do anything after the tree is planted?

Yes — the first year is critical, and watering is the biggest factor. We'll leave you with a clear, simple watering plan tailored to your trees and the season, along with any mulching guidance. Young trees need consistent moisture (not too much, not too little) to establish their roots, and following the plan is what turns a newly-planted tree into an established one. We keep it easy, and we're always a phone call away if you have questions during that first year.

Let's Plant Something That Lasts

Tell us what you'd like to plant — a shade tree, a privacy row, a transplant, or a whole landscape — and we'll get right back to you to set up a free consultation.

  • Visit us1180 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43201
  • Call us(614) 555-0136
  • Email usgrow@rootwelltrees.com

Free Planting Consultation