If you have an expansive but largely bare back garden, you may be looking for some trees to plant now rather than having to sow seeds and test your patience. Yet you may be worried about the process involved, as you ensure that the trees you buy from the nursery will survive the experience and go on to flourish. However, you don't need to worry so much if you choose to buy some "bare root" trees instead. What are they, and why could they be advantageous for you?

Sleeping Trees

As the name implies, these trees will arrive on your property with their roots exposed rather than surrounded by soil. This means that they are in an effective dormant state and will survive for a lot longer without water and nourishment.

Making Things Easier

Many nurseries make these trees available for sale, understanding that buyers may face a challenge when it comes to transportation and planting, especially when temperatures are high. The nurseries are able to sell bare-rooted trees in many different varieties, but the process is essentially the same once you purchase.

Considering the Advantages

If you were to buy a potted tree, you'd have to make sure that it was transported and planted within a recommended amount of time, or there's always a chance that it might not "take." You'd have to pay particular attention to hydration and nutrition when planting, but with the bare-rooted tree, you simply need to wake it back up again.

Removing the Packaging

When you take delivery of the tree, you will notice that its roots are surrounded by sawdust. This is meant to make it easier and more compact to transport, but as the sawdust has no nutritional value, you simply remove it when ready to proceed.

Preparing to Plant

You will need to add compost and fertiliser to the hole and make sure that it is mixed into the surrounding soil for uniformity. You can then untangle and spread the roots as you plant, so they will absorb more of the nutrient and moisture as the plant wakes up.

Pruning and Trimming

As you put the finishing touches, you may need to prune back some of the branches or buds. This will give the roots a helping hand as they gather the necessary moisture and nutrients. Check with your nursery to see what they recommend, given the species of the tree in question.

Getting Further Information

So, ask your plant nursery about bare-rooted trees to make life easier as you populate your back garden.

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