Planting Bare Root Trees

 

A bare root plant is one of three ways to bring a plant home: container, balled and burlapped, or bare root. Bare root plants have no soil on their roots. They are shipped and planted in a plant's dormancy or when a deciduous plant has lost all of its leaves. Deciduous trees can be shipped bare root, and any tree or vine that goes dormant (kiwi, grapes, peaches, apples, asparagus, etc). Evergreen trees (such as citrus and olive trees) are not shipped bare root and can only be found in containers.

Of all the methods for shipping, bare root is the best for transplanting as the plant has no choice but to survive and grow in the ground you put it in. Burlapped and container plants already have their own dirt and soil, and some may be reluctant to grow in new soil. Bare root plants are only found seasonally, though, while container plants are found year round.

Bare root plants often are shipped with sawdust around the roots. This packing material is not meant for planting, just for shipping so the roots are not harmed during handling and to ensure the roots are kept moist.

Planting a Bare Root Tree

1. 1. Rinse off the packing material.
   2. Soak the roots in water for a couple of hours prior to planting to ensure the roots are thoroughly wetted and will not dry out during planting. But, do not leave the roots sitting in water for an extended amount of time.
   3. Dig a hole appropriate for the plant - about 2-1/2 times as wide and 1-1/2 times as deep as the root ball.
   4. Ensure the hole is the correct depth before planting - the root collar should be level with the ground: not too shallow so the roots are exposed to the air, and not overly deep so a large portion of the base of the trunk is underground.
   5. Check the roots before planting and snip off any broken roots or roots that have died off. Remember, the plant is in its dormancy.
   6. Before planting, tap the sides with the shovel to make the sides uneven. If the sides are 'perfectly round' and smooth, the roots will tend to spin around inside the hole rather than grow out into the dirt surrounding the hole.
   7. Place the tree inside the hole, and add soil. Be sure to add the same soil as is surrounding the plant (the same soil you just dug up, and not other potting soil). The reason being if you use potting soil or an extra-rich amendment, the plant will not be used to the soil that surrounds the plant, and the roots will not grow out of the planting hole.
   8. Pack the soil to ensure no air pockets are hidden around the roots, and the tree is firmly planted in the soil. To test, grasp the lower trunk and gently tug up - if the plant pulls up easily, it was not planted firmly.
   9. Trim back the top portion slightly (most plants just lop off about an inch or two, more or less depending on the actual size of the plant, and making sure the trim is to an outward facing bud).
   10. Water the plant well after planting. Periodically, water the soil to prevent the plant and the roots from drying out, but remember the plant is dormant and will not need much water until it begins its growing season.