Many of us enjoy, or want to enjoy, planting ornamental trees in our gardens. They provide some much interest all year round and of course they add much needed height to otherwise low-level planting schemes. 

But it can sometimes feel a little intimidating planting a tree. They usually cost a little more and it somehow seems more difficult to successful plant a tree rather than a shrub. 

To help you out we’ve put together this video on how to plant a bare root tree and ensure it gets the best possible start. 

How to plant a bar root tree video

1: Soak the roots in water for 30 minutes to two hours. 

2: Dig the hole deep and wide enough to accommodate all the roots. 

3: Ensure the hole is no deeper than the grafting point on the tree. 

4: Apply mycorrhizal fungi to the roots (optional). 

5: Pop the tree into the hole. 

6: Refill the hole working the soil around the roots to ensure there are no air gaps. 

7: Firm in the soil with your foot. 

8: Add a support stake if necessary. 

9: Water the tree again.

The first thing is, that when you’ve received your bare root tree from Direct Plants, make sure you give the roots a good soak. Leave the tree sitting in a bucket of water for at least half an hour or even up to two hours if you can. This will allow the roots to get a good drink - essential if we want to give the tree the best chance of flourishing and establishing itself when planted.

While the tree is soaking you can dig the hole ready for planting. The hole must of course be large enough and deep enough to accommodate all the roots. The way to judge the depth is to make sure the grafting point, where the main trunk of the tree and the roots meet, needs to be just above ground level.

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If the grafting point is below ground level the hole is too deep and you’ll need to refill it a little. The easiest way to see the level of the grafting point is to lay a stick or bamboo cane across the hole and lay it against the trunk of the tree. If the grafting point is below the level of the stick the hole is too deep.

Apply mycorrhizal fungi to the roots

If you wish you can add a little mycorrhizal fungi to the roots of the tree. There’s no point putting the mycorrhizal fungi into the hole itself, it needs to be applied directly to the roots. Now, in the past, we may have enriched the hole with compost or manure but nowadays the thinking is to only use the same soil which came out of the hole when it was dug.

This will encourage the roots to spread and search for nutrients rather than staying in the space you’ve dug. Of course, you may think differently and it is entirely your choice whether you pop some compost into the hole but certainly popular opinion among professionals is to not enrich the hole.

Once you’ve sat the tree into the hole work the soil carefully (by hand) around the roots to ensure there are no air gaps. Keep using your handy stick as a guide to ensure you don’t overfill the hole.

If you’re planting in grass, you can cut the excess soil of the turf you’ve dug up and then use the turf upside down to do the final fill of the hole. Firm all the soil in gently with your foot and don’t forget to give the tree another good watering.

Add a support cane 

If you’re worried about the stability of the tree, you can use a stake if you wish. Put the stake in the ground at a 45-degree angle to the tree facing into the wind and keep the height of the stick really low.

As a rule of thumb younger trees really don’t need staking unless you’re planting in an exceptionally windy site. If you do use a stake, by keeping it short you’ll allow the tree to move in the wind and give itself some strength.

Ornamental trees from Direct Plants

Bare root trees are a great way to add interest, height, and structure to any space. Follow the link to see the huge range of  ornamental trees we currently have in stock. All trees are well packed to arrive at your door safe and healthy and all ready to plant.

Read more: How to plant a pot grown tree or shrub