How to Plant Bareroot Trees

1. Trim Breaks and Damage: Broken or damaged roots should be trimmed off. No additional root pruning is recommended.
2. Dig a Large Enough Hole: Do not prune the roots to fit the hole; instead, dig the hole to fit the roots. Remember that the roots are important because they feed and support the rest of the tree.
3. Backfill with Friable Soil: Backfill the hole with the most friable soil available, and avoid large clods. It’s essential not to use soil that may have been treated with a herbicide when backfilling around the roots.
4. Plant Bud Union About Ground: Be sure the bud union is several inches (or a full hand width) above the ground level and pointed southeast.
5. Plant to the Same Depth as the Nursery: It is also a good rule to plant the tree no deeper than it was grown in the nursery.
6. DO NOT add Fertilizer or Manure: We do not recommend the use of fertilizer or manure in the hole at planting time.
7. Plant Into the Wind: If prevailing winds are a problem, plant trees leaning slightly into the wind.

1. Apply Sunburn Protection After Planting: It is critical that some form of sunburn protection be applied immediately after planting.

Our favorite is the use of plastic-coated paper tree protectors or paperboard milk cartons. Measuring about 18 inches high, the tree protector can be easily slipped over the tree after planting. It will help protect the young tree from sunburn, rodents and herbicide sprays.

You may also paint the tree from ground level to top of trunk with a mixture of one part water and one part white interior latex paint. Remember to reapply as needed. Sunburn of trees at the top edge of the tree protector can occur.

We advise painting newly-planted trees around the top of the protector.