How to Plant a Bare-Root Fruit Tree
Plant bare-root fruit the day you bring it home when possible: soak roots, dig a wide hole, keep the graft union above soil, water in, mulch off the trunk...
Published by ThriveThyme
fruit bare-root planting how-to
How to Plant a Bare-Root Fruit Tree
Bare-root trees arrive without soil. Roots dry out fast, so plant the same day when you can. The steps below match the checklist on the Fall Fruit Planting Desk.
Steps
- Keep roots moist. Soak bare roots in a bucket of water for 1 to 2 hours before planting. Do not leave them on a dry driveway.
- Dig a wide hole. Make it wider than deep so roots can spread. Loosen the sides. Avoid a narrow, glazed hole that holds water.
- Set the graft union above soil. On grafted trees, keep the bulge of the graft about 2 to 3 inches above finished grade so the scion does not root and undo the rootstock.
- Backfill and water in. Firm soil gently around roots to remove air pockets, then soak thoroughly. Water again the next day if the bed is dry.
- Mulch in a ring, off the trunk. Spread 2 to 4 inches of wood chips or shredded leaves in a wide circle. Pull mulch 3 to 4 inches back from the trunk to reduce rot and rodent damage.
- Stake only if needed. Use a soft tie with slack so the trunk can flex. Remove the stake after one or two seasons.
Aftercare
- Water regularly the first two seasons while roots establish.
- Do not pile soil or mulch against the trunk.
- Prune broken roots at planting; save major structural pruning for dormancy after the first year unless the nursery directions say otherwise.
- For zone timing, see when to plant bare-root fruit trees by zone.