Get a sapling from breaking leaves or finding one in a chest
Place the sapling on grass, dirt, podzol, coarse dirt, rooted dirt, or moss
Make sure the area above the sapling is clear
Wait for the sapling to grow naturally over time
Use bone meal on the sapling to make it grow faster
Plant multiple saplings in the correct pattern for large trees
Leave enough space around the saplings for the tree type
Keep the sapling in a lighted area so it can grow safely
Harvest the grown tree with an axe or by hand
Replant saplings to grow more trees