Bareroot trees are trees that are dug and stored without any soil around their roots. Here are five advantages to buying bareroot trees as well as how to plant them. We also offer a wide selection of bareroot trees for pre-order every spring.
Benefits of Bareroot Trees
Better Performers
Bareroot trees take off quicker than potted trees because of the benefits for root development. Roots don’t have to transition from container soil to local soil. Plus, bareroot trees contain nearly double the amount of roots than those grown in containers. Since bareroot trees can be planted while dormant, it allows more time for root development compared to spring planted trees.
Cost & Environmental Savings
Bareroot trees cost 30-50% less than a container-grown tree of the same size, because a bareroot plant requires less resources. You skip the labor and materials required for potting and maintenance such as fertilizers, compost, water and plastic. Transportation costs are less as well since bareroot trees weigh less and take up less space not being planted in soil.
Easier Handling
Bareroot trees are lightweight and easy to move around. You can easily fit a bareroot tree in your car. In addition, it only takes one person to move a bareroot tree around to its desired planting location.
Faster Planting
Lightweight bareroot trees without extra soil makes for quick planting. Soil amendments are not needed when roots grow directly into the surrounding soil.
Variety
The Growing Place offers a wide selection of bareroot trees each spring for you to find the right plant for your place.
2023 Bareroot Varieties
Cercis Canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
Eastern Redbuds are a spectacular spring bloomer, with very showy pink to purple flowers held tightly on bare branches in early spring. Its green leaves are somewhat coarse, heart-shaped and appear after the blooms fade. It rivals any small ornamental tree for specimen use in the home landscape.
Acer x freemanii ‘Firefall’ (Firefall™ Maple)
Excellent male cultivar that will not produce seeds. Performs well in our clay soils. Bright orange to scarlet fall color develops earlier than some of the other Freeman maple cultivars.
Acer rubrum ‘Frank Jr’ (Redpointe® Maple)
Brilliant red fall color, pollution tolerance and resistance to pest and diseases make this cultivar an exceptional shade tree. More adaptable to our alkaline soil than other red maples.
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’ (Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry)
Great four seasons plant that is covered with white flowers in spring. Berries turn to apple red in summer and are soon eaten by robins. Fall colors of yellow to red contrast the handsome gray bark.
Malus x ‘JFS-KW5’ (Royal Raindrops® Crab)
Royal Raindrops® features bright, pink single flowers aging to a cream-pink with deep pink margins. Deeply lobed leaves emerge as a deep purple in spring. In fall, small, firm, maroon-red fruit develops and persists on the tree until the end of the year. Exceptional orange-red fall color.
Syringa pekinensis ‘Morton China Snow’ (China Snow Peking Lilac)
Beautiful ornamental specimen that is resistant to cold, drought, and salt. It has creamy white flowers and dark green foliage that turns an apricot yellow in the fall. The cinnamon colored exfoliating bark adds beauty to this tree.
Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam)
American Hornbeam is a beautiful and underused native woodland tree with very interesting gray bark that looks almost muscular in appearance that makes a strong winter statement. Fall color is an excellent blend of yellow, orange, and scarlet. In late spring/early summer, curious hop-like fruit appear.
Quercus bicolor ‘JFS-KW12’ (American Dream® Swamp White Oak)
This handsome oak was selected for its bright green glossy foliage and strong disease resistance and broadly pyramidal shape. Bright green, glossy leaves turn yellow in the fall, then tawny brown as they hold on into winter. Once established, tolerant of drought, salt, and soil compaction.
Ulmus x ‘Morton Glossy’ (Triumph™ Elm)
Attractive elm with dark green glossy foliage and a sturdy branching habit. Excellent shade or street tree with good resistance to Dutch elm disease, elm leaf beetle and leaf miner. Yellow fall color.
Planting Bareroot Trees
- Bareroot trees should be planted as soon as possible. Otherwise, be sure they are stored in a cool place and out of direct sunlight.
- Soak the tree roots in water for 12-24 hours before planting. This will awake the roots and allow them to soak up needed moisture.
- Prune off any split or broken roots or branches, using pruners that are sharp enough to keep from crushing or fraying the roots.
- The planting hole should be wide enough to allow the roots to spread out without bending. The planting depth for a bareroot tree should have the root flare at ground level. The root flare is the point where the trunk is flared and the roots begin. Place a board or stick across the hole to indicate the level where the root flare should be. Break up the clumps of soil taken from the hole as backfill.
- Hold the tree straight and at the proper height, backfill loosened soil under and around the roots first, packing it firmly. Keep filling the remainder of the hole by packing the soil firmly until just about the original grade level and water.
2023 Bareroot Tree Order Form
Pre-orders are due by April 10, 2023. Use the link to the Google Form below to reserve your selections.
Pre-order is necessary as we have limited quantities on select varieties. You will be contacted to provide payment over the phone to receive the pre-order price. We will call you for pickup when they arrive.
