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                      Planting Balled and Burlapped Trees
                                             Edited by Len Phillips 

Balled and burlapped (B&B) trees and shrubs are dug during dormancy with a firm ball of soil around the roots and held securely in place with burlap, twine, and usually a wire basket. B&B is also called “balled in burlap”.

Digging the Tree

Trees grown in the field are dug with a soil ball. Burlap is secured around the root ball with nails, string, or wire. Synthetic burlap is often used on root balls so that the nursery operator can dig the tree several months prior to planting it in the landscape. This pre-digging helps the tree harden off and survive when transplanted into the landscape. Synthetic burlap should all be removed from the root ball, or at least the upper portion. Growers have reported that synthetic burlap prevents roots from growing out of the root ball on certain species.

Burlapping

If the root balls are hard and are laced on the sides like an old-fashioned drum, they were dug with the whole root ball intact. If the burlap is tied on top or the ball is soft, the tree was probably dug bare-root and stuck into the burlap with some soil.

Planting Hole

According to the latest research, B&B trees do best if planted in a large planting area that is 2 or 3 times as wide as the root ball. Loosening the surrounding soil prior to planting eliminates compacted soil and speeds recovery from transplant shock. Loosen down to the depth of the tree’s root system in the ball.

Planting

Before any planting occurs, check the point where the top-most root in the root ball emerges from the trunk. To prevent poor growth and early death of the tree, it should be within two inches of the top surface of the root ball. This is often called the root collar, root crown, main order root, root flare, or trunk flare. There should be no circling or crossing roots visible and the trunk should not wobble in the soil ball.

The latest research recommends that if a tree has been drum laced, the lacing should be left intact to support the tree during the initial establishment period, provided that the drum lacing is of a biodegradable material. The tree should be set 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) above grade. The trees should be in low-profile baskets, which have larger openings designed to overcome concerns about root strangulation. Because all the wires are below the top of the root ball, these baskets are not tripping hazards. The proper method of handling a basket is to lift the tree from the bottom, not from the basket. Take extra care not to loosen or break the soil ball.

A thorough watering is absolutely essential for the newly planted tree. Water when the backfilling is one third completed and again when the planting is entirely finished. Water will settle the soil and remove air pockets better than compacting the soil with one’s feet. No burlap should remain above the soil surface as it may act as a wick and dry the root ball.

B&B trees can be stored prior to planting for a period of time, provided the trees are all set close together with the root balls touching. The balls should be covered with mulch and watered thoroughly. If the root balls dry out, this will be fatal. If planting in clayey soil, use trees with a clayey root ball to prevent the root balls from drying out after planting.

When trees are being transplanted B&B, pruning one third of the tree to compensate for the root loss is no longer recommended. It is better to keep the roots well watered and growing than to remove the food source for the tree.

Evergreens should not be planted late in the fall unless the roots will have a chance to become established before the ground becomes frozen.

Pros of B&B Planting

• B&B stock is as reliable as container grown stock,

• The most commonly selected form of nursery grown trees is the B&B tree,

• For street plantings, the style most often used is B&B,

• Fine roots are not disturbed, leading to success and low transplant shock,

• People planting trees are most familiar with B&B planting,

• Large size plant material may be moved B&B.

Cons of B&B Planting

• B&B stock is the most expensive option of transplanting a tree,

• B&B trees often have too much soil over the main roots,

• Because of the weight of the soil ball, large B&B trees can be difficult to transport and plant without special equipment,

• B&B trees are subject to water stress because of the small size of root systems being transplanted.

Sources

• Appleton, Bonnie, "Basic Tree Biology", City Trees, The Journal of The Society of Municipal Arborists Vol 37, Number 6, November/December 2001.

• Buckstrup, Michelle J & Nina L Bassuk, "Transplanting B&B VS. BR", Journal of Arboriculture 26(6): 298-308.

• Clatterbuck, Wayne K. "Post-Planting Tree Care: Fallacies and Recommendations", The University of Tennessee.

• Gilman, Edward F., "Planting trees in landscapes", Environmental Horticulture Department, IFAS, University of Florida, December, 2007.

• Iles, Jeff, "Tree Planting Basics", Acreage Answers, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, 2001.

• Jacobs, Bernard, FASLA and Terry Warriner Ryan, FASLA, "The Root of the Matter", Landscape Architecture, November 2003.

• Johnson, Gary R., "Buried Root Systems and Tree Health", Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, 1995.

• Northern Illinois Specification Review Committee, Online Seminars for Municipal Arborists, September/October 2007

• Trowbridge, Peter J. and Nina L. Bassuk, "Trees in the Urban Landscape", John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.

• Watson, Gary W. and E. B. Himelick, "Principals and Practice of Planting Trees and Shrubs"', International Society of Arboriculture, Savoy, IL 1997.

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