Planting
Bare-root tree or shrub
Digging and firming with a spade and heel can cause cuts and blisters, and soil-borne bacteria mean any wound risks tetanus. Wear stout gloves and boots and keep your tetanus cover up to date.
- Where to get help
- Your GP or practice nurse.
Bare-root stock is lifted dormant so it moves with almost no root damage and establishes cheaply. Planting at the right depth and firming out air gaps lets new roots grip fast before spring growth begins.
When
Plant while fully dormant and leafless, any mild spell from November to March when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Get it in the ground within a day or two of delivery.
How
1. Keep the roots covered and moist until the moment you plant; never let them dry in wind or sun. 2. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for one to two hours. 3. Dig a hole no deeper than the roots but two to three times as wide, and loosen the sides. 4. Set the tree so the old soil mark on the stem sits level with the surface. 5. Spread the roots out, backfill with the dug soil, and firm gently with your heel in stages to remove air pockets. 6. Water in well and stake low if the tree needs support. 7. Fit a spiral guard if rabbits or deer are a risk.
Notes
Do not add manure or fertiliser in the hole as it can scorch roots. A low stake for the first two years lets the trunk flex and thicken. Bare-root is only sold in the dormant season.