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  5. Bare Root Plants and Trees Planting Guide

Bare Root Plants and Trees Planting Guide

Bare Root PlantBareroot Plant

  1.  Bareroot plants and trees are delivered during the months of November to April with little or no soil on the roots during the dormant stages of the plant.  Bareroot is also commonly known as 'dry root'.
  2. When orders are received for bareroot plants, they are then lifted from the fields, carefully graded and then moved to the packing area where they are again checked for suitability
  3.  The plants or trees  are then packed carefully and despatched via next day carrier service
  4. When the plants arrive, remove all packing materials, and do not allow the roots to dry out.  You may need to soak the roots in water, but only if the roots are dry and in tepid water, not more than 1 hour 2 at the most as any longer and you will drown them. Then plant immediately, heel in well into the planting hole.
  5. Best to 'heel' them  in by putting the bundles with the roots covered with loose soil which will keep them moist.

 

Bareroot Planting

  1. It is best to plant bareroot plants and trees immediately in order to keep the fragile roots from drying out.  If you cannot plant immediately due to weather or soil conditions, store the trees or shrubs in a cool place and keep the roots moist (but on the dry side) by spraying lightly.  Keep in the garage or shed (not a greenhouse).  It would be better to 'heel' the plants in soil, covering their roots which will keep them moist.
  2. Try not to plant on cloudy, cool, frosty, humid days.  Avoid sunny, warm, dry and windy conditions that desiccate seedling roots.  Avoid planting when there is a risk of freezing the roots.  Plant sensitive species in the early morning if possible.
  3. We recommend the use of ROOTGROW products which are ideal for bareroot and pot grown plants.  Beneficial mycorrhizal fungi when added to the planting hole will attach to the plant roots aiding in the location of nutrients and water. Provide you plants with the best start in life – buy rootgrow (mycorrhizal fungi) for planting.  This should be added to the backfill according to package directions.
  4. Remove any grass, weeds, etc within a three foot circular area.   The area around newly planted trees, shrubs, rootballs must be free and clear of competing weeds, grass, etc for at least two years.
  5. Dig a hole or trench wider than seems necessary so the roots can spread without crowding. It is essential that the planting area be sufficient in depth and width which will aid the plant survival.  If the area is not wide enough the roots will not be able to spread.
  6. To aid root growth, turn soil in an area up to three feet in diameter.
  7. Backfill once was amended if needed with compost, peat, moss, aged manure, etc but this has changed in recent years.  It is now considered best practice to leave the backfill unaltered or to add the minimal amendments.  By doing this it will encourage roots to spread out into the native soil rather than say within the confines of the planting hole.

 

Bareroot Planting

  1. The sides and bottom of each pit should be loosened with a fork to break up any existing compaction
  2. The roots of the plant  or tree should then be spread evenly on the soil at the bottom of the hole
  3. If using rootgrow (which is recommended) follow directions on the package and apply at this stage.
  4. Hold the plant upright and begin to backfill the hole, pressing the soil around and between the roots.  You can use your hands to firm the soil and eliminate air pockets.  Continue adding the backfill and packing down until you have filled the hole.
  5. If the plant or tree appears to be too far down in the hole, backfill should be added to raise the bottom surface. 
  6. Planting too shallow a level exposes roots which will dry out, and planting too deeply can smother and kill the plant

 

Bareroot Planting

  1. Watering is especially important to the survival of the young tree or shrub.  Proper moisture will ensure that the roots never dry out completely nor should they be waterlogged.  The best way to check for sufficient soil moisture is to put your finger down about 2-4 inches outside the rootball mass of the plant and if the soil feels dry – water.

  2. Watering is especially important to the survival of the young trees, rootballs and shrubs.  Proper moisture will ensure that the roots never dry out completely nor should they be waterlogged.  The best way to check for sufficient soil moisture is to put your finger down about 2-4 inches outside the rootball mass of the plant and if the soil feels dry – water.  They must be checked for proper moisture every other day for the first two weeks at least.  Watering can be limited after the first two weeks to once a week if less than 2.5cm (about 1”) rain falls during the week.  It is better to thoroughly soak the soil to the entire depth of the root mass than frequent light watering.  Remember that rain may not sufficiently create the necessary moisture that new plants need, so never believe that a rain shower is good enough moisture for the plants - always check the mositure at the rootball to make sure they are moist.  Water is vitally important during the first two years of life - water to the rootball not the surface areas. Always test for moisture by putting your finger in the soil next to the rootball and if the soil is moist then do not water, but if dry then watering is needed.

  3. Make sure that the competing weeds, grass, etc are removed before planting and continue to clear the weeds during the first few years of establishment.  Weed free planting areas is vital for the survival of the new plants to ensure that they get all the nutrients and not the weeds.  Failure to keep the area weed free will lessen the likelihood of plant survival.

  4. Fertilising is not recommended for newly planted trees and shrubs during their first year of growth.