Three Different Forms Of
Planting Shrubs & Trees -
You can purchase your shrubs and
trees in different forms, below are three different forms and their various
planting methods. All the trees and shrubs are at the same stage of
development.
The burlapped
and balled plant looks the best, and the container version is in good
condition. The bare root shrub is still dormant so it does not look that
good. However, the bare root costs a third less than the other two types. If
you planted these three right now, they would all look alike by next year.
Planting Bare Root Shrubs & Trees - Bare root plants are removed from
the ground while they are dormant. The soil is removed and they are store up
until the following growing season.
This is the cheapest and easiest
way to ship them to the consumer. However, they will not have any leaves until a
couple of weeks after you plant them. Planting
bare root shrubs is unlike planting other forms of shrubs.
Begin by taking one shrub off the bunch at a time. Keep the other shrubs covered
so that they do not dry out. Then cut a quarter of an inch off the end of every
root. That is to encourage new growth.
The hole that you plant your shrub in ought to be six inches wider and six
inches deeper than the roots, which are not too huge.
Once you get the correct depth you build up a heap of soil at the bottom of the
hole to rest the roots on. Your shrub should sit high enough so that the crown
is just above the ground level, leave an extra two to four extra inches if you
are going to apply mulch. A stick lying across the hole will aid you in
determining how high it should sit. Once the mound is at the correct height
place the plant over the mound and spread its roots.
Then fill in the hole
halfway to the top with soil and then water to get the soil to pack down. They
are going to need quite a bit of water the first couple of weeks.
You can a position your plant at this time and then fill in the remainder of
soil packing it down tightly and then water once more.
As a last step, you should prune back each plant heavily to decrease the shock
of re-planting. It is recommend that you prune off from a third to one half of
the branches.
Planting Balled & Burlapped Shrubs & Trees - Preferably,
you would have the nursery bring your burlapped and balled plants to the exact
spot where you want to plant them, particularly trees since they are difficult
to maneuver.Do not pick up
trees by their trunk, because that could ruin the tree’s root ball. You can
roll them a couple of feet, but be gentle as this can squash the tree’s roots.
The best way to move them is to place your tree on a tarp, and drag them.
Dig the hole six inches wider than the shrub or tree’s root ball. In
addition, the top should be a bit above the level of the ground or above
the mulch line if you are going to add mulch.
Place a stick over the newly dug hole and measure down from the stick to
make certain that the hole is the right depth.
The burlap is biodegradable
so you can keep it on when planting. Simply pull it down and back so it does not
take moisture away from the root ball.  Now
shovel dirt back in and around the root ball until it is about filled half way.
Do not use fertilizers at this time since fertilizers
encourage leaf growth. What you want to accomplish the first year is for the
roots to become established.
If you have a clay soil, you can blend in a little peat
moss around the plant to produce an area for the tree’s roots to grow.
When the hole is half-filled
with soil, you should drench it with water. That will pack the soil down and
make certain the roots get sufficient moisture, and eliminate any air pockets.
Fill in the hole and shape a
basin around the tree’s root ball with soil. This will hold water right over
the root ball that needs quite a bit of moisture for the first week.
Then water the entire area
completely to settle the backfill and soak the root ball. Do not be concerned
about over watering for the first week. Lack of water is more of a difficulty at
this time.
Planting Container Shrubs & Trees - The key difference with plants grown
in a pot is removing the pot from the root ball. It is an excellent idea to
water the plants the night before planting. If your plant is too dry, the root
ball may fall apart when you are planting. With small, one to two gallon pots
just get a hold of the crown of the plant at the top of the root ball and then
turn it upside down. Once it is turned over tap the sides to loosen the root
ball, pull on the pot to free the root ball from the pot. For bigger pots lay
them on their side, tap on the sides and pull the pot off. Alternatively, you
can cut the pot away.
The roots of plants that are
grown in pots have a tendency to grow in a circle. Prior to planting, use a
knife to create five or six vertical cuts along the length of the roots. By
doing this they will begin to grow out once more. Your plant is now ready to be
planted.
Next, follow the same steps as for the burlapped and balled shrubs, watering,
backfilling, and creating a basin for water above the root ball. Water is vital
for your new plants. You should soak them for the first week to help them become
established and then taper off the watering so that they are not over watered.
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