Bare-root fruit trees don’t look like much, but there’s a lot of promise in the dormant plants. Their limbs are free of leaves and their roots have been cleaned of all soil to make shipping them easier. Because the exposed roots aren’t getting any moisture from soil while they wait for planting, their roots can dry out fast. Getting them in the ground quickly keeps them from experiencing shock and helps their roots become established for the growing season. Here’s when you need to plant bare-root fruit trees for successful growth come spring.
What Is A Bare-Root Fruit Tree?
Unlike trees grown in pots where roots are contained in soil, bare-root fruit trees are dug up while they are young and dormant, meaning they have no leaves and no soil around their roots. This makes them lighter, easier to ship, and less expensive than trees sold in containers. Bare-root trees need to be planted quickly since their roots are at risk of drying out. Since trees sold as bare roots are never grown in pots, their roots don’t need time to adjust to being transplanted and they establish well in native soil. Potted trees can struggle with roots growing in a circling pattern as they grow, rather than spreading out.
When To Plant A Bare-Root Fruit Tree?
Plant bare-root fruit trees when they are dormant in late winter to early spring—January through March—before buds emerge. Trees that have been shipped have a short planting window before they’ll need moisture, so you don’t want them to stay out of the ground for long. In colder climates, wait until the soil thaws to avoid winter damage, and in warmer Plant Hardiness Zones 9-10 planting can be done as early as late fall. When nurseries stock bare-root trees, that’s a good indication the timing is right for your area.
The trees should be planted before spring temperatures begin to wake them up and encourage buds and new growth to form so they can focus energy on developing strong roots in their permanent space. A healthy root system can mean better survival down the road.
How To Prep For Planting
Bare-root fruit trees have roots that are more fibrous and less compacted than those grown in a container, and they don’t grow in a circle. If you purchase a bare-root tree from a local nursery, carefully pack it in wet newspaper, mulch, shavings, or compost to bring it home and to keep the roots moist until planting.
If you’ve ordered bare-root fruit trees from an online retailer, you’ll want to begin planting preparations before your tree arrives. Choose an area with well-draining soil that doesn’t get soggy and receives six to eight hours of full sun each day. To test the soil’s drainage, dig a hole and fill it with water, then let it drain. Fill the now-saturated hole with more water. If it takes more than a few hours for the water to drain, the soil may retain too much moisture for the tree. You should also test the soil’s pH to make sure it’s compatible with the type of fruit tree you plant, and choose a planting site that will be large enough once the tree reaches its mature size.
Once you get your bare-root tree home, you’ll want to remove any packing material, untangle the roots, and soak them in water for up to 24 hours to rehydrate them. Keep the tree moist and in the shade until it’s time to plant, and cut off any damaged or diseased roots before planting.