Bare root trees are sold with soil around their roots. They are dug by the nursery in late fall or early spring (plants dug in fall are over-wintered in coolers) and are often sold by mail-order retailers. They are an economical way to plant trees, especially large quantities of trees.
Bare root trees are shipped in the early spring and are usually delivered at the appropriate time of the year based on your location and USDA Hardiness Zone. Bare root trees must be planted in spring before growth begins.
Care Before Planting | Planting | Step-by-Step Planting Guide | Planting Video | Care After Planting | More Information
Care Before Planting
Inspect Plants on Arrival
Open and inspect bare root trees as soon as they arrive. They should be in good condition with firm, heavy roots that are not dry or brittle. The packing material around the roots (usually coarse sphagnum moss) should be damp; not dripping wet or completely dry. Buds should be green and firm. There should be no obvious signs of mold or freezing damage. Trees should not have mushy roots, foul odors, or many broken stems or roots.
Store Appropriately if Needed
Plant bare root trees as soon as possible after receiving them. If planting has to be delayed, store them in a cool, non-freezing location at around 40°F, such as a refrigerator, unheated garage, or root cellar. Keep the packing material around the roots and ensure it is damp but not wet. The packing material should feel like a wrung out sponge. While in storage, moisten packing materials as needed. Do not let any part of the bare root tree dry out, especially the root system.
Planting
Plant bare root trees as soon as possible before spring growth begins.
- Prior to planting, prune off damaged or broken roots and soak them in a bucket of water for one to two hours.
- Dig a hole that is two to two-and-a-half times wider than the spread of the tree’s root system.
- The depth of the hole should be equal to the distance from the tree’s trunk flare to the bottom of its roots. The trunk flare is the point where the trunk begins to spread out as it meets the roots.
- Many shade and fruit trees are propagated by grafting. The graft union is located near the base of the tree’s trunk and is denoted by a bulge or crook in the trunk. The graft union is typically 1-3 inches above the trunk flare. When planting bare root trees, avoid confusing the graft union with the trunk flare.
- Build a cone-shaped mound of soil in the center of the hole.
- Place the tree on top of the mound.
- The trunk flare should be even with the surrounding soil surface. Use a shovel handle to span the hole and determine the correct planting depth.
- Spread the roots evenly over the mound. Root systems should not be twisted, bent, or kinked.
- Begin backfilling with the original soil, taking care to work the soil around the roots.
- Do not amend the soil with compost, sphagnum moss, sand, or other soil amendments. The soil that comes out of the hole should go back into the hole.
- As you backfill, firm the soil in the hole with your hands.
- Water the backfill when three-fourths completed, and again when the backfill matches the surrounding grade. This will eliminate undesirable air pockets and give good root to soil contact.
- Bare root trees will likely need to be staked for the first year.
- Place stakes in undisturbed soil, not in the planting hole, so they stay firmly in the soil to support the tree.
- Use two or three stakes and wide flexible material to hold the tree upright, allowing some movement.
- Remove all staking materials the following spring, if not sooner.
Planting a Bare Root Tree Step-by-Step
Care After Planting
Water trees as needed throughout the first growing season until fully established. Check plants once or twice a week and water when the soil around the roots is dry. Reduce watering frequency as trees become more established later in the growing season. Supplemental water may be needed in the second and third growing seasons if conditions are dry.
Mound the soil into a ring around the tree's root zone to make watering easier. The ring allows water to stay in place and soak in around the rooting zone rather than running off while watering.
Place mulch around the base of the tree to help conserve soil moisture and reduce competition from weeds.
Bare root trees will likely need to be staked for the first year. Place stakes in undisturbed soil, not in the planting hole, so they stay firmly in the soil to support the tree. Remove all staking materials the following spring, if not sooner.