Dig only as deep as the rootball is high. If you dig deeper, the tree is guaranteed to settle in spite of your efforts. (Don't bother asking how I know that.)

If you want to dig deeper, make certain the rootball sits on a "pedestal" of undisturbed soil.

one way i solve that is to mound it up. if it settles some it won't end up any lower than the soil around it.

thats what i was figuring. i would dig 2ft to make sure all the rocks were removed, fill it up maybe even stomp it down a big and then even put it on a mound so when it does settle it would still be above ground.

is it ok to make the hole between 2.5-3ft wide? or is that too much?

I've mostly heard the hole should be about twice the size of the root ball and dug more like a shallow bowl instead of a deep cylinder shape. Brady

I do it like this....

Yes,that's a good diagram.Then the roots can more easily spread and grow. Brady

If you are interested in a more complex set of guidelines this one is thorough and well illustrated. I disagree rather strongly about their suggestion of not mulching over the root ball itself, however, and believe it's based on faulty research (any research I disagree with must be faulty!).

Here is a link that might be useful: the science of planting trees

I bookmarked these descriptions for planting. Excellent! Mrs. G

would adding leaf compost to teh hole be a good idea?

would adding leaf compost to teh hole be a good idea?

Is the leaf compost aged well?Leaf compost or leaf mold will add water retention properties,makes the soil structure better and helps organisms,like earthworms and favorable bacteria. Brady

Put the leaf compost on top when you are done.