Plant Bare Root Fruit Trees Now

By Steve McDermott

Bare root trees and plants are deciduous trees and plants that are dug up from soil during this time of the year when they are dormant.  They are sold with little or no soil on their roots and they can easily be transferred to your garden for planting. They are less expensive than buying green plants and easier than starting your own plants from seeds.  While hybrid roses are most commonly planted this way, fruit trees such as apples, apricots, peaches, and plums are ready to plant right now.  

Begin by finding a suitable place for your tree. Identify a spot that receives at least 6 hours a day and prepare the soil before buying your new stock. Plant the bare root as quickly as you can so the roots do not dry out..

An excellent technique for planting is to use the mounding method. Loosen the soil enough to allow the root system of the new tree to move easily through the existing soil. Do not add any amendments to the soil that contain organic materials or other additives. Unwrap the barren roots andwith a sterilized cutting tool, eliminate any girdling or misshapen roots.  If the roots are brown and rotting, return the tree for a healthy replacement. Once the roots are spread out, shovel soil on top of them to form a mound. The mounded dirt should not go above the crown, or where the tree stem meets the roots. Do not plant the tree in a basin or in very wet or saturated soil. 

 If the new tree is not too large, cut side branches to leave 2 buds and head the tree at 24 to 30 inches to ensure side branching.  Paint the lower two thirds of the tree trunk with half water and half interior white latex paint to prevent Pacific flat head borers and sunburn. Avoid fertilization until leaf formation, and within a year or two you will be munching on your very own sweet fruit.