Planting Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs

Buy Quality

Buy from a quality garden center or nursery that heels in their bare-root properly. This means that they have buried the roots in moist sand, soil or sawdust ensuring the roots never dry out. This is very important because you want to keep the roots moist and healthy.

Be Picky

When choosing a tree or shrub, make sure it has strong, plump, fresh-looking branches and roots.

Plant As Soon As Possible

The ideal is to plant out your bare-root as soon as you get home.

Dig the Hole Properly

Start by digging a hole that will be wide enough to comfortably accommodate the root system and that has sides that taper outward into the soil. Making sure the hole is wide enough will also allow the plant to establish faster because you have given it plenty of loosened soil that is easier for the roots to grow in.

Make a Cone

In the bottom of the planting hole, make a firm cone shape of soil.

Spread the Roots

Spread the roots over the cone, making sure the plant roots are in complete contact with the soil. You don’t want any air pockets developing between the roots and the soil.

Correct Depth

Make sure the plant is at the same depth as it was in the growing medium before. To double check this, you can always use a yardstick or shovel handle to check the depth.

Backfill the Soil

As you firm the soil in around the roots, hold the plant as straight as you can so when you are finished you don’t have tree or shrub that lists to one side. As you are backfilling, use your fingers to work the soil in-between the roots to make sure there are no air pockets.

Settling

If the plant settles below the correct level of the top of the hole, raise the plant up a bit, and re-work the soil around the roots again to settle it in at the correct depth.

Make a Well

When you are finished planting, make a large well around the plant. This holds the water and nutrients in the growing zone for the roots to easily access.

Water In

Always water thoroughly when you are done. Keep in mind the plant is still dormant, so allow the soil to dry out a bit in-between waterings. Bare-root don’t need  much moisture when they are dormant as when they are actively growing, but they do need to be watered to keep them alive and healthy.