Plant These 5 Trees as Bare Roots Before Winter's End – and Get Better Results for Less Money
Planting bare root trees and shrubs is a cost-effective way to get gorgeous specimen plants, but you need to act now. Bare roots need to be planted in dormancy.
Amy Draiss
Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted bare root. These plants are removed from the soil in autumn while they are full of energy reserves. Then they are planted during dormancy - a period often running from October through March. However, the optimal time for planting most trees is late-February through March, when the soil thaws and spring is just around the corner.
Bare root planting has many advantages. For me, the price savings is a big plus - bare-root trees cost less than container plants, sometimes half the price. And their light weight is another blessing. Shipping weight is obviously lower when the young tree doesn’t come in a container full of soil, and even lugging the tree to the planting site is easier.
Which trees to plant? Deciduous fruit trees are popular choices, but you can also install landscape favorites like maples and birch. Here’s a short list to get you started.
1. Apple Trees
March is the perfect time to plant bare-root apple trees (Malus domestica). These are deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter, and if removed without soil on their roots, it is essential to get them in the ground before dormancy breaks. March fits that time period, yet it is also very close to spring - with its warming weather that pushes roots to grow.
You’ll need to soak the roots of a bare root tree for several hours before planting. While that’s happening, dig a shallow hole for the roots in an area of the garden getting at least 6 hours of direct sun. When you plant, keep the graft collar at least 2 inches (5cm) above the soil line.
Backfill the hole with soil from the site, not soil from the garden store. Water well and keep the soil moist. You may need to install a stake to stabilize the young apple tree until the roots are established. Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. offers bare root Honeycrisp apple trees and more!
2. Japanese Maples
Japanese maple trees (Acer palmatum) are the pretty princesses of the maple clan. They are smaller maples that light up a corner, adding height and power to the garden without creating deep shade below. These lovely little maples are popular in landscapes because of their lyrical shape, brilliant color, and manageable size. They are also the tree of choice in Japanese tea gardens.
For me, the top advantage of buying these maple trees bare root is the price point. As these trees have caught the public eye, their prices have gone up (and seem shockingly expensive at the nursery). And you may not settle for just one. Since there are hundreds of cultivars, with colors ranging from lime green to forest green, through gold and burgundy and purple, you may want two or even three trees.
The keys to successful bare root planting? Be sure the tree is dormant (not a single open leaf!), and plant as soon as you get them home. Plant in a spot that is shady or, at most, in dappled sun, with well-draining soil, and regular irrigation. Mulch around the base of the tree to keep the mower far from the tree’s tender bark. Find a bare root Japanese maple tree from the Arbor Day Foundation.
3. Hawthorn Trees
I love hawthorn trees (Crataegus spp.), called aubépine in French. They are sweet little ornamental trees ideal for small gardens. Their prolific spring blossoms are fragrant and attract early pollinators. These are followed by berries that provide food for wild birds and small mammals in late summer. The trees are easy to grow and extremely appealing. But most interesting, many have thorns - up to 3 inches (7.5cm) long! That means they make great plants for defensive hedges.
Hawthorns are among the best trees and shrubs to plant bare root in late February or early March. That is the end of their dormancy and the young trees are ready and willing to grow those roots starting NOW. These trees will grow anywhere, in any soil.
To plant, select a location with full sun or partial shade. The hole should be several times wider than the current root spread and at least as deep as the roots. As you plant the bare root tree, make certain that the root flare is at or slightly above ground level. Water well and add mulch. Northern Ridge Nursery offers bareroot Hawthorn trees through Etsy.
4. Fig Trees
Planting fig trees (Ficus spp.) bare-root is a popular choice. Anyone who has ever gorged themselves on ripe figs still warm from the sun will insist on installing one or more in the backyard. Like other deciduous trees, figs can only be planted bare root while they are dormant, and late winter or early spring is ideal, especially in colder areas.
Like apple tree roots, fig tree roots must soak in water for a few hours before planting. Select a site with full sun and well-draining soil to dig the planting hole. As you are planting, reduce the size of the canopy branches to balance out the small root system.
You’ll also want to plant the tree deep to encourage low-branches and easy fruit harvest. These can grow into relatively tall trees (30 feet/10m or more) so give your fig plenty of elbow room. Cold-hardy, self-fertile bareroot fig trees are available from Lowe's.
5. European Hazelnut Trees
I fell in love with the European hazelnut (Corylus avellana) in France - and while my trees provide lots of delicious nuts for me and the squirrels, it’s their beauty that is what reels me in. The leaves are green, a fresh, happy green that seems to represent all the joy of spring. But even before leaves appear, the long male catkins hang like ornaments on the bare branches.
European hazelnuts should be planted bare root while they are still dormant, with the ideal time being late winter or early spring. Soak the roots for up to six hours before planting them. Pick a spot with sun or dappled sun and well-draining soil.
Space the trees some 15 feet (5m) apart if you are planting more than one. European hazelnut varieties like the 'Clark Filbert' hazelnut tree are available from Stark Bro's Nurseries and Orchards Co.
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