Not all trees need to be root-pruned and mulched before they are planted in the ground. Unpruned bare-root trees are more expensive than potted or container-grown trees, so it is important to know if planting them is going to be worth the cost and effort.
And thats where the pros and cons of planting bare root trees come in. Unpruned tree pros should persuade you to plant these trees, while unpruned tree cons should help you decide against it if you have any concerns about potential damage from digging up a dormant tree or from the expense of buying new soil for it.
Unpruned Tree Pros
Unpruned bare-root trees are less expensive than potted or container-grown trees.
Unpruned bare-root trees are cheaper because they dont require the time and effort involved with root pruning and mulching.
Pruned roots can be planted in the ground without any preparation, but unpruned roots need to be buried deeply to avoid the possibility of them drying out and rotting.
Low Cost
Managing a large lawn or garden can be costly, especially if you want to keep it looking nice and maintain its health. And while they take a little more effort than potted or container-grown trees, bare-root trees offer a low cost alternative that is perfect for people with larger properties.
Unpruned tree pros include the low price of these trees, their easy planting, and the ability to plant more than one in an area for a beautiful yard or landscape. Unpruned tree cons might include the time required for planting them as well as their reduced lifespan in comparison to potted or container-grown trees.
Easy To Get Started
The first pro of bare root planting is that its easy to get started. You dont have to buy fertilizers, soil amendments, or irrigation equipment right away. You just need to purchase the trees and plant them in your desired location.
It’s also easier than potted or container-grown trees because you don’t have to worry about transplanting these trees once they are purchased or planting them in a specific location. With a bare-root tree, you can plant it where you want it to grow.
Another pro of bare root planting is that you don’t have waste any time with fertilizer or water management when you plant bare-root trees. All of the care and attention has already been done for you by the nursery before they sell the tree.
Finally, when buying potted or container-grown trees, there will always be some risk involved with buying plants where roots haven’t been removed from the mother rootball yet because these young plants might be more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Can Be Planted Anywhere
One of the biggest advantages to planting bare root trees is that they can be planted anywhere. You dont have to worry about finding a pre-existing hole in the ground, and you dont have to prepare the ground beneath them. This makes bare-root tree planting much easier than potted or container-grown trees.
Another benefit of planting bare root trees is that it will give your garden a more natural look. With potted or container-grown trees, you may have to add a few feet of mulch around them for aesthetic purposes and also for their protection from worms and soil erosion that could happen with too much mulch near their base. But with bare-root trees, you can plant them without any added landscaping materials. Plus, because there are no pots or containers surrounding the tree, they will be taller when they grow since they won’t need to compete with other plants growing around them.
Root System Is Ready For Spring planting
Bare-root trees that are planted in the fall should be ready to plant in the spring. The soil is still moist and they have had time to harden off over the colder months. They can be planted directly into the ground or in a container as long as they have adequate drainage.
However, bare-root trees that are planted before winter can sometimes take up to a year to recover from their dormancy and root system needs fertilizing and proper access to water.
You may want to consider planting potted or container-grown trees if you want your new tree to be ready for spring planting. Potted or container-grown trees will take less time to root than bare-root trees and also cost less money.
Unpruned Tree Cons
-It is difficult to tell what type of tree you are buying, so buyer beware.
-There is no guarantee that the tree will be healthy and strong enough for planting in your garden.
-The tree could be damaged during the digging process if its dormant or if you have to dig deep enough to find a good root system.
-Unpruned trees can take up to 8 weeks before they become fully mature and ready for planting in the ground.
More Difficult To Mature After Planting
Unpruned trees are more difficult to mature after planting, because they dont have the root structure of a potted or container-grown tree. This means that they are more susceptible to wind, ice, snow, and other environmental challenges.
Unpruned trees also require extra care when it comes to watering and fertilizing them during the first few years. If you plant an unpruned bare-root tree in your yard and forget to water it for a couple of days, there is no chance for the tree to survive.
Conclusion
Planting a tree is a wonderful way to control the growth of your garden, but bare root trees can also be a viable option.
When planting bare root trees, you have to take care of them for the first few years with careful watering and pruning or else they may die. This is a slower, more difficult process than taking care of a tree that has been planted in a pot and is already mature.
Nevertheless, bare root trees can still be the perfect option for you at the right time. When planting bare root trees, its important to pay attention to what type of tree youre planting as well as where you plan on planting it.
FAQ’s
What are the pros and cons of planting bare-root trees?
Unpruned bare-root trees are far more expensive than potted or container-grown trees, but they are worth it if the cost is right. Removing the rootball from a potted or container-grown tree and replanting it in the ground is very labor-intensive and can be very difficult, if not impossible, because planting holes have to be large enough to accommodate the roots. You need to also add soil around the roots to fill in any spaces between the bottom of the roots and the container or bed.
Unpruned bare-root trees are typically sold in smaller sizes than potted or container-grown trees, so you may have to wait for a few months before you can plant them. Also, because they do not come with soil and root barriers included, you will need to provide your own. An unpruned bare-root tree may take more care than a planted potted or container-grown tree too, because pruning and digging can damage roots if not done carefully. But this also means that they will be healthier than potted trees that may never see sunlight again.
Unpruned bare-root trees are less expensive overall than potted or container-grown trees, but they arent cheap. On average, they cost $100-$200 more per tree up front compared to potted or container-grown trees of the same size. With all these advantages though, there really isnt any reason not to purchase them if you have a yard or garden that is big enough for them!
What are the risks of planting bare-root trees?
There is always a risk when planting bare-root trees that have never been planted in the ground before. You have to be sure that you know what you are doing and that the soil is suitable for the type of tree youre planting. If the tree roots are damaged by too much soil or if their junction with the main root system is interfered with, there could be problems later on.
But if your soil is good and there are no other considerations, then planting bare-root trees can be a great way to save money. Because tree roots grow just at the surface of the soil, they usually dont need much space to develop. So buying new soil can be a lot cheaper than buying potted trees.
Another advantage of bare-root trees is that they can be planted right away without any preparation work required. If you have young children or animals, this can be a great way to avoid risk and mess.
What are the benefits of planting bare-root trees?
Pros of plantng bare root trees:
-Trees planted bare root are typically more expensive than potted or container grown trees but generally considered more practical for most people. They are also easier to transport and store.
-Planting bare root trees also gives you the opportunity to direct their growth and eventual shape. You can shape their branches in a desired direction or eliminate side shoots.
-Bare root trees allow you to plant them in a location that is most ideal for their final position, such as shade or full sunlight, room temperature, or in your yard or garden bed that already has soil prepared.
-Unpruned trees have fewer pest problems and are less likely to suffer from disease than pre-planted potted trees. They don’t have long roots that anchor into the soil, so they can be moved with ease.
-Concerns about digging up dormant roots and disturbing them as well as waking up the tree from dormancy can be kept to a minimum with an unprumed bare root tree.
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