Learn how to avoid common mistakes when planting bare root trees. These tips and tricks will help you successfully plant a tree that will thrive and grow for years.
This is a sponsored post. All opinions remain my own.
The Joy of Planting Trees
The only thing I love more than spending quality time with my family is spending time doing something meaningful together. I’ve always cared about the earth and I’ve tried to pass that perception of responsibility and kindness onto my children.
One of the best ways to spend time together doing something good is by planting trees. It’s like we are giving back to an earth that humans are constantly taking away from. It’s also very impressive to see how long it takes for a little sapling to grow into a massive tree that houses birds and filters our air.
Planting Bare Root Trees
This year we planted some bare root trees together. Let me tell you, this was an unforgettable experience. If you are going to plant a tree together, this is the way to go.
It’s going to be so so fun to watch this tree grow!
Bare Root Planting Tips
Here are some tips and tricks my family and I learned along the way. I hope this saves you from having to learn the same things the hard way.
1. Use the Arbor Day Tree Nursery Website
Before you even buy your baby tree, do all your planning on the Arbor Day Tree Nursery website. This has everything you will need! It has videos, detailed instructions and tutorials, and plenty of really helpful tips.
You can even plan for how to buy and plant your trees with your kids together at home. Then you can even buy your trees right there on the nursery website.
2. Choose the Right Tree
There are a lot of things to consider before buying your baby tree. Here are some questions you should answer before buying a tree that won’t work in your back yard.
- How much care will it need?
- What kind of weather does it need?
- What will the seeds be like?
Thankfully, the Arbor Day Tree Nursery has a Tree Finder Wizard. Just type in your zip code and answer a few questions. It will automatically suggest the best trees!
3. Pay Attention to Your Hardiness Zones
Hardiness zones refer to how hardy (long-lasting) the tree has to be to deal with the extreme weather in your area. These zones are based on the average temperature of your location. There are 11 Zones in the United States and the higher the number, the hotter the average temperature.
Knowing your hardiness zone will help you choose a tree that can handle the heat or freezing temperatures.
It’s so easy to find your hardiness zone. Just type in your zip code into the Arbor Day wizard. It will tell you your zone and show you trees that match it.
4. When Planting Your Tree, Make the Hole Wider Than You Think
After your tree arrives and you are ready to plant it, make sure you dig the hole wider than you think. You need to leave plenty of room for the roots to expand and grow.
5. Don’t Use Fertilizer on Baby Trees
Finally, don’t use any kind of potting soil, fertilizer, or any chemicals on your baby tree. This will harm it and could even kill it. All you need is dirt, water, and some mulch.
Keep it simple to keep it healthy.
Coupon Code
I have a $10 coupon code for you to use on the Arbor Day Nursery website – ALLTHINGSMAMMA
This is good for free shipping! If you spend more than $60, your shipping will be free anyway so this will take $10 off your order total.
More Earth-Friendly Family Activities
Want some more ideas of things you can do as a family? Here are some of our favorites!
Martha Meyer
I just read your post on planting bare root trees and I found it super useful. I had no idea that hardiness zones were based on the average temperature of my location! Thanks for saving me some time and money!
Martha
Landscape Contractors
Steve
Hi Kassey! I just wanted to say “thanks” for the article on planting bare root trees. I really enjoyed reading it and plan on using some of your tips and tricks.
The part about knowing your hardiness zone was really helpful too! I know you’ve said before how important that is but it always helps hearing from someone else once in awhile 😉 Anyway, good stuff dude!
Haydee Schuler
There are many reasons why bare root trees are preferable to their potted counterparts. Firstly, every step in a fruit tree’s life cycle is designed to improve fruit yield: it’s genetics, cultivation, fertilization, pruning, and when in pots: watering and repotting. These steps are repeated identically each year. This allows for the type of root system most beneficial for that tree. I love these tips and tricks about planting bare-root trees would you tell me another article because I want to read more about your post. Hedge Services is one of my favorite articles like yours. I have read your article carefully and I think your writing style is very good. I enjoy your explanation and help me a lot to increase my knowledge. I love this information greatly and I like to look at the next article you share with us.
Bloomington Tree Pros
Love tips number 2 and 3. Baby trees are cute, but there are a lot of things to consider for it to thrive well. 🙂 Appreciate how you included that info in this post. 🙂 Hope all the trees you planted will grow well.