Planting Balled-and-Burlapped Trees and Shrubs

Woody plants with root systems unsuited to bare-root transplanting, or evergreens, are sold as balled-and-burlapped (B&B): dug with soil ball, wrapped in burlap/synthetic, tied with twine/wire. Common for large deciduous specimens, evergreen shrubs (rhododendrons, azaleas), conifers—available fall and early spring.

Buying & Handling

• Healthy foliage, even branching. Covering intact; root ball firm and moist.
• If doubtful, untie and check for healthy roots, solid uncracked ball.
• Handle gently: support root ball bottom; never lift by trunk or drop. Heavy—have nursery deliver or use canvas sling with helper. Move on plywood slide.

Planting Steps

1. Measure root ball height. Hole slightly shallower so ball top sits ~2 in. above grade. Set plant.
2. Untie covering. Burlap: spread to uncover half ball (rots eventually). Synthetic: remove entirely. Windy site? Stake beside ball. Fill to 4 in. from top; water gently.
3. Finish filling, firming soil. Build watering berm; water. Loosely tie to stake if used. Keep moist, not soggy, until established.

Soil Texture Considerations

B&B plants often grown in clay/heavy soil that holds together when dug. If your garden soil is medium–heavy (heavy loam/clay), no amendment needed. If B&B soil is denser than yours, roots struggle—dense ball absorbs water slower than surrounding soil, staying dry even when garden soil is moist.

Fix: Mix organic amendment (peat moss, ground bark, N-fortified sawdust) into backfill at 1:3 ratio (amendment:soil). Use blend to fill around roots.