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Why would anyone want to buy a tree that is “bare-root”?? The trees look kind of straggly and you would
think without any hope of thriving! And yet…….it is one of the best ways to plant a tree with promise! Especially
fruit trees. Why? Well, when dormant trees are dug from the nursery-emphasis on “dormant”- the potential for growth is still
within the tree. The energy is being stored and is just waiting for warm weather, sunshine, and Mother Nature
to give all those signals to start pushing out growth and energizing its potential!
When the young trees are dug from the nursery, before spring has truly kicked in and are stored in a climate-
controlled facility where the trees still think it’s winter, the trees are still in a dormant state. When you buy one
and take it home, plant it right away in a carefully dug hole, water it, and watch it take off!
Why is this better than buying a tree from a nursery that is in a plastic pot and is already showing signs of growth?
Well, a potted tree is already using a lot of its energy to sustain those buds, leaves, or flowers you are looking at.
You think that the tree must be healthy because it is showing all that vigorous growth. The problem lies with taking the tree out of the pot, disrupting its growth cycle, stressing it to the max with a new environment, and telling the root system that it had better get to work in a new and different way! The root system of a potted tree has been growing in a confined area and has had shoes too small for its feet! The tree may have been exposed to very dry conditions, and perhaps severe temperature variations with the roots mostly unprotected from the
outside air.

So…… those are a few reasons that bare-root trees are the way to go! Keep the roots of bare-root trees moist
until planting. Don’t let them dry out, and remember to plant them the same day, if possible. If immediate planting is not possible, keep them in a plastic bag with some sawdust or potting soil, keep them moist, but
not floating in water, and keep them in a cool location!

How to plant a bare-root tree? First, have the hole prepared for the tree. It should be
large enough to fit the roots, of course, with some room to expand. If you have imperfect soil, you can add
peatmoss, potting soil, or mulch. Mix it in well. Fill the hole with water, and make sure the roots of the tree are
wet, too. Place the tree in the hole, fill in the soil incrementally, and pat it down to get rid of any air
pockets. The “knuckle” of the tree- where the roots and the graft of the tree took place should be about 3”
ABOVE ground level. The “knuckle” looks like a bump or thickening of the stem/trunk. Think of the knuckles of
your hand- on top of your hand, normally! Newly planted trees should be watered at least weekly. If
you are having a dry spell, if it’s really hot, or if you are thirsty, probably so is your tree! Water daily, if needed!

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Your friends at Fruit Connections
“Connecting People with the Joys of Fruit”