Gardening Tips: Planting Bare Root Trees

Trees that produce stone fruit are good candidates for bare root planting; this includes peaches, plums, and nectarines. Apples and pears, figs, walnuts, and pecans may also be planted as bare root trees, as well as several vines, including grapes, blackberries, and raspberries.

When and Where to Plant your Tree

There are many factors to consider when choosing a location for your tree. Make sure to provide enough room for the tree to grow. It’s hard to imagine how much space a 25 foot wide tree will require, so be certain to read the tag for spacing recommendations and get out a tape measurer to make sure you’re providing ample room. Fruit trees typically require 6 or more hours of full sun.

Step by Step Planting Guide

Gently unpack your tree and untangle the roots. Allow the roots to soak in water or a root stimulating solution for 3 to 6 hours. Do not allow the roots to dry out!
Dig a cone-shaped hole twice as large as the width of the roots and remove any grass surrounding the hole. To allow room for the roots grow, gently till the soil around the hole.
Plant the tree no deeper than it was in the nursery. If you are uncertain about how deep to plant your tree, ask someone at the nursery to assist you. Planting a tree too deep can be fatal!
Gently fill in the hole with the loosened dirt that was removed from the hole. As you fill the hole, make sure the roots are spread out so that they are not tangled; gently pat the soil around the roots to hold them in place. The soil should be firmly packed, but not to an extreme. Keep the level of the soil around the tree at the same height as the surrounding land. Do not mound the soil around the base of the trunk.
You can create a water reservoir surrounding the tree by piling soil in a circle around the hole you just filled in. This will keep the water from washing away before it is absorbed. Water thoroughly.
Spread a 2” thick layer of mulch around the tree, but do not place it directly next to the trunk. Leave a few inches of bare ground directly around the trunk.
Keep the soil around your tree moist but not soggy. During dry spells, water every 7 to 10 days for the first year. During the first 2 weeks, water a few times a week to keep the roots from drying out. Always water the soil around the tree; try to keep water from hitting the branches or leaves.

Heading the Tree

Relatively small trees are easier to prune, thin, harvest, and manage. For this reason, it is advised that you “head”, or cut, the newly planted tree to knee height (about 24 inches) for a short, bushy tree, or higher up (at about 36 inches) if you would like it to develop low branches. You may also choose to remove most of the small side branches.