While the name doesn't sound promising, planting bare root trees in winter means you'll be surprised by how quickly you get results. The best time to plant many trees is always during the dormant months, as long as the ground isn't frozen. But it's especially important for bare root trees, which are usually only available to buy from late October or early November until the end of February.
They might look half dead, but don't be put off by their appearance, as in a couple of years’ time your twiggy specimens will have matured into sturdy and attractive leafy young trees in your garden design. Container-grown trees and shrubs meanwhile can go in the ground at any time of year, providing the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
However, there are various things you need to do to give your young bare root trees the best possible chance. Keep reading for our easy-to-follow tips on planting bare root trees.
Preparing the soil for planting bare root trees
Once you've chosen the location for your bare root trees, it's important to clear the area of the garden you have in mind for your new tree and enrich it first, as nothing will grow if the soil is either compacted or low on nutrients.
Remove any weeds and debris, dig the soil over and add plenty of well-rotted compost or manure. If your garden soil type is heavy clay or frequently becomes waterlogged, make sure you buy a tree variety best suited to these conditions.
If the ground is swampy, plant the tree on a mound around 30cm high and 1 metre in diameter to lift the tree roots clear of the heavy soil. If you're planting a hedge, use weed-suppressing membrane and make holes where you want the trees to go.
Planting your bare root trees in the ground
When your plants arrive, unwrap them from their packaging and gently loosen the roots. Check the roots are damp and don’t let them dry out, as this is the quickest way of killing them or stunting their growth.
If they are dry, immerse the root ball in a bucket of water so they can have a good drink before planting.
Make sure the soil at the bottom of the hole is loosened to provide good drainage for the roots too. Firm them in, jiggling the tree so the soil works down into all the gaps, then attach them to a support and water well. Plant trees at the right depth, as deep as their rootball or up to the soil tidemark on bare-root plants. They will not thrive if planted too deep or too shallow.
Shop for bare root trees
A single stem silver birch tree known for its fast-growing ability. Plant several together for a more clustered look.
Supplied as two-year-old bare root plants in packs of 25 to help you establish a hedge quickly.
How to plant a bare root tree in a container
If you've selected the best trees for pots and want to plant your bare root tree in a container rather than in the ground, you should follow these six steps:
- Immerse the roots in a bowl of water for at least 30 minutes before planting.
- Make sure the container is large enough for at least two years’ growth. Line the base with crocks.
- Add the compost and place the tree centrally. Spread its roots so it is evenly balanced.
- Add more compost, making sure the tree’s knobbly graft is visible. Leave room for watering.
- Insert a stake into the compost, firm it in and attach the tree making a figure-of-eight knot with twine to avoid chafing the bark.
- Water the tree well, giving it a really good soaking. Stand the pot on feet and keep it well watered.
Shop for pots and planting tools
These glazed vibrant blue pots would look perfect in Mediterranean garden ideas.
Protect your hands when planting bare root trees with this soft-grip handled trowel.
Make sure you keep your bare root trees well watered for optimum growth potential in spring.
How to care for bare root trees
Post-planting care is critical. Don’t let your tree dry out, but also don’t overwater it either as this can starve the roots of oxygen. To get the balance right, slide a trowel down through the soil to gauge how much moisture is present.
Keep the planting area free of weeds and make sure there is around 1m of bare soil around the tree so its roots aren’t competing with other plants for water and nutrients.
Mulching helps too, but make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the trunk as it can soften and rot the bark. Follow these easy tips and your new tree will soon reward you with a growth spurt.
FAQs
Why should I plant bare root trees?
If you don’t mind waiting a couple of years for plants to grow, bare root planting is a cheap and easy way of filling out your garden with trees and shrubs or creating a lovely new hedge.
They may look a little barren to start off with, but don’t be deceived as they have robust roots and will grow considerably in their first year. Just remember not to leave their roots exposed too long in the air during planting as they will quickly dry out.
What’s the difference between bare root trees and whips?
Bare root trees arrive in your garden without anything on the rootball except a bag and they will have been growing in a field until shortly before you buy them. Growers dig them up when they're dormant, and the roots are cleaned of soil then packed in moist material for delivery.
Whips meanwhile are young and slender 'whippy' plants without a rootball that are also available for planting from November until the end of February, and are generally used for hedging.
While bare root trees have their benefits, they only work if you choose trees that will work in your end garden vision.
It's particularly important to remember that all trees will grow, so if your plot is on the smaller size, make sure you choose the best trees for small gardens. Or, if it's a planted garden screen you need, find out your options for the fastest growing hedges.
The original version of this article previously appeared on Gardeningetc, a sister website to Homebuilding & Renovating.
