- 1). Choose a location that is exposed to full sunlight. Stevens holly trees thrive best in bright sunlight, but they will tolerate partial shade.
- 2). Plant your holly tree in well-draining soil. Acidic soil is best, but the tree will adapt to other types of soils. Avoid planting the tree in areas where standing water collects. Stevens holly trees prefer dry soil once they are established.
- 3). Dig a hole as deep as the root-ball is tall, and two to three times the width. Remove any burlap and twine from around the root ball, and cut off any roots that are girdling the root-ball.
- 4). Set the tree in the center of the hole and backfill with the removed soil until the hole is three-fourths full. Tamp the soil down gently and water thoroughly to settle the soil. Fill the hole to the top with the remaining soil and water again.
- 5). Keep the soil moist for two or three months after planting the tree. This encourages root growth. After that, you can let the soil dry out between waterings, as this holly is unusually tolerant of drought conditions.
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