Bare Root Trees

[Nyboy]

Sprng fever got to me yesterday, even though I have had bad luck with bare root trees I bought 2. A peach and a plum. I have heavy clay that stays wet in spring then bakes to cement in summer. Any tips?

 

[April Manier]

Just so happens I wrote an article on this when I planted my orchard. Folks here helped me refine it.

http://heronsnestfarm.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-plant-orchard.html

Hope it blesses you! :rainbow-sun

 

[Nyboy]

Thanks April problem is I wasn't thinking. I willn't be able to get to my country house for a week and it is going to snow. Not sure how to treat trees now.

 

[April Manier]

Nurseries keep em in pots. So can you! At least until you can safely plant. But if they are in plastic bags they will keep longer than you think.

 

[897tgigvib]

Main thing is make sure they stay moist and cool.

:rainbow-sun

Oh, and I was thinking about your cherry tree choice thread as I passed by them in bloom in the valley headed to town today.

Canada Red is one of the toughest and more beautiful cherry trees, and will give good pie cherries. There are several strains of it. Red leaves, red bark. tough for zone 4 easily. Stake it if it's a tall one for its first few years. I have seen wind broke individuals, not many though.

 

[Nyboy]

Cherry tree in bloom is a pretty sight, and says spring is here.

 

[897tgigvib]

Redbuds are starting to color up and the quince are awesome right now in town!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know how big those trees are, but one thing you can do to store them a while is to dig a fairly shallow trench or hole, sort of lay the tree roots in there and cover them with dirt. It doesn't have to be very deep. Keep the soil damp, not wet. It helps to be in the shade and protected from wind.

The method is called heeling them in. Took me a while to think of that term. This link has a photo. I've done it and it worked.

http://www.weekendgardener.net/how-to/plant-bareroot.htm

 

[ducks4you]

Definitely pot them. The pots aren't too expensive, I use mine EVERY year for something. THIS year my two biggest pots are gonna be for 2 zuchinni's that are gonna live on my screened in porch, away from the squash bugs.