Buying Bare-Root Trees and Plants: Cost, Timing, and Success Tips

Why Bare-Root?

• 30–50% cheaper than container/B&B.
• Lightweight—easy shipping/handling.
• Roots visible—inspect for health, damage.
• Establish faster—no container interface.
• Wider variety available from wholesale growers.

Critical: Dormancy Window

Ship/plant ONLY when fully dormant (late fall to early spring, before bud swell). Active growth = transplant shock = death. Know your zone's window.

Fruit and Flowering Trees

Apple, pear, cherry, plum, peach, serviceberry, redbud, dogwood, crabapple—all widely available bare-root. Choose disease-resistant rootstocks (M.7, M.26, Bud.9 for apples).

Planting Protocol

1. Soak roots 2–24 hrs (not longer).
2. Dig wide, shallow hole—2–3× root spread, depth = root collar.
3. Build soil cone in center; drape roots over.
4. Backfill native soil—no amendments in hole.
5. Water thoroughly to settle.
6. Mulch 3" (keep off trunk).
7. Stake only if windy site—remove at 1 year.

Aftercare

Water weekly first season (1" per week). No fertilizer year one. Protect from rodents (hardware cloth trunk guard). Monitor for bud break—success!

Ordering

Reputable mail-order nurseries (Stark Bros, Jung, Fedco, local extension sales). Order early (fall) for best selection. Specify ship week.