Experts come in all shapes, sizes, and colors but when I plant I always toss in bone meal, phospate, but I am old school. If it is not a windy location then do not stake it, because I've seen too many trees staked and then gurdled, because no one paid attention and besides they look unsightly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

Many experts now say to stake nothing.
If where you planted, the root ball cannot hold the top steady in the wind, you will need to stake it. With a 9' tree, you will probably need to stake. Usually 2 stakes are sufficient. Leave about an inch or two of slack so the tree can move some. Every 60-90 days loosen to provide another inch or two of slack. The goal is to remove the stakes completely after a year.

Thank you both for the insight.

gooch07,

I would not advise you to ever fertilize your tree unless a soil test indicated a need. Fertilizer often does more harm than good to trees. This is also the advice that you will find given in this forum more times than I can count.

Gooch, you shouldn't need to fertilize with anything for at least a year. Phosphorus should never be added, in any form, without having the results of a soil test in your hand showing that your soil is deficient in P.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bone meal information

Says who? Dr Carl Whitcomb says its very benefical as he has done studies on proper fertilizing. I found that organic fertilizer helped a whole lot for my trees. Fish hydrolysate and seaweed liquid mix solution seemed to really help a lot.

Thank you