Are Bare-Root Plants Alive? The Scratch Test

Your flea-market grape, fig, and pecan were dry with sawdust—but the scratch test tells the truth.

How to Test

1. Start near top of cane/branch.
2. Scrape bark with fingernail/knife.
3. Green = alive at that point.
4. Brown/tan = dead at that point.
5. Work down until you find green.
6. Prune off all dead (brown) wood.

Your Plants

• Grapes: Green inside = alive. Plant them.
• Pecan: Green outside only? Check deeper. Pecans need deep taproot—plant ASAP if alive.
• Fig: White spongy center = pith (normal). Green under bark = alive. Figs resprout from base easily.

Planting Tips

• Soak roots 4–6 hours before planting.
• Plant at same depth as nursery mark.
• Water in well; mulch.
• No fertilizer first year.

If scratch test shows green—plant them! They want to live.