Do I need to remove the burlap and wire basket when I plant a balled and burlapped tree?

Question:

I'm planting a balled and burlapped tree that has a wire basket around the rootball. Do I need to remove the burlap and wire basket when I plant the tree?

Answer:

After digging an appropriately sized hole for the tree, carefully lower the tree into the hole.  Then begin to backfill with the original soil.  When the planting hole is one-half full, cut and remove all twine.  Also, cut away and remove the burlap and wire basket on the top one-third to one-half of the rootball.  Then fill the remainder of the hole with soil.   

Learn more about planting balled and burlapped (B&B) trees in this article: Tree Planting Basics