Planting Balled-and-Burlapped Trees: Remove the Wire and Burlap!

Chanticleer Callery pears were planted with wire basket and burlap left on. This is wrong—roots cannot grow into surrounding soil, leading to poor anchorage, water/nutrient uptake, and eventual decline or windthrow. Effects show in 3–5 years or sooner in drought. If recently planted, dig them up, remove all wire and burlap, and replant properly: hole twice root ball width, same depth, backfill with good soil, mulch 3 inches.

Correct Planting

1. Remove wire basket and burlap completely.
2. Set root ball at ground level.
3. Backfill with native soil amended with compost.
4. Mulch wide, not deep.