8/14/2023 0 Comments Planting norway spruce bare rootThat’s fast growth and almost immediate bedding cover for deer. I planted these spruce and pines as little bare-root whips (about 10″ high) in 2012. Bare root trees seem awfully wimpy when you first plant them, but once they take hold (a year or two), bam! they sure do take off. Sure, the tree lives and grows, but it takes years for those roots to spread and stabilize the tree. A potted tree might look awesome because it’s already flowering when you plant it, but the transplant shock stays with the tree for quite some time. Bare root trees establish more quickly.I’ve had similar cases with container apple trees that - once that got of fruit bearing age - they tipped out of the ground during late summer storms due to the weight of the pending harvest and the lack of strong root structures. He tried saving it by relieving some of the pressure points, but in the end he said just enjoy the tree for what it is because it wouldn’t last for the long term. My buddy, who is an arborist for a major city here in central Wisconsin, came over and informed me that the girdling roots on the tree (curled around the root ball) were formed when it was in the pot. The tree didn’t even make it to 10 years old when I noticed an entire side of it was dead. My mom loved maples, and I thought it would be a living testament to her. My friends gave me a gift certificate to a nursery where I used the money to buy a potted maple. I learned this lesson a very hard and painful way after my mom passed away 14 years ago. Bare root trees are not “pot bound.” In arborist terms, they won’t develop “girdling roots.” This is a major problem with potted trees of all varieties.With potted trees, the selection is usually very small. Just like with the apple example above, when ordering you can pick and choose the varieties. Bare root trees are available in a wide variety of species.And be sure to plant several pollinators. Instead, I opt for “what grows best for where I’m planting the trees?” Find several species that are suited for your region. After planting three apple orchards in my lifetime, I have learned not to like fancy. For fruit trees, you’ll be looking at anywhere from $12 to $70 a tree, depending upon how fancy you want to get. Bare root trees are significantly more affordable. Let’s look at the pros and cons: Bare Root Trees: Pros It just boils down to how much time do you have … and how much money do you want to spend - or should I say “risk?” Bare root apple trees survive better because their root bases are stronger. This is not to say there is no place for container trees.
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