Rootballing – Is it necessary?

Why are so many landscape specifications asking for unnecessary rootballing of small trees? Is it due to previous experience of wholesale losses on site or just a precaution against inadequate soil preparation and post planting maintenance?  Whatever the reason, the consequences are that we are using more energy in lifting and transport, moving more soil from one region to another without a thought for the consequences and the landscape contractor is using more energy, labour and inputs on site.

Most species of trees, if properly grown and regularly transplanted don’t need rootballing up to 14-16cm girth. We often transplant 16cm trees bareroot on the nursery without losses provided the aftercare is adequate. If the landscape contractor is supplied with proper planting conditions in terms of top soil type and depth and given a realistic maintenance budget then need for rootballing would be greatly reduced.

The following is a guideline to rootballing, providing a minimum of x3 transplanted trees are used:

Acer campestre and varieties                     – bare root up to 16-18cm

Acer platanoides and varieties                   – bare root up to 16-18cm

Acer pseudoplatanus and varieties           – bare root up to 16-18cm

Acer rubrum and varieties                          – bare root up to 16-18cm

Aesculus and varieties                                 – bare root up to 14-16cm

Alnus glutinosa and cordata                      – bare root up to 14-16cm

Amelanchier and varieties                         – bare root up to 10-12cm

Betula pendula and pubescens                 – bare root up to 12-14cm

Betula jacquemontii                                    – bare root up to 10-12cm

Carpinus betulus and varieties                 – bare root up to 14-16cm

Crataegus and varieties                              – bare root up to 10-12cm

Corylus colurna                                            – bare root up to 12-14cm

Fagus sylvatica / Atropurpurea                – bare root up to 10-12cm

Liquidamber                                                 – bare root up to 10-12cm

Malus and varieties                                     – bare root up to 14-16cm

Platanus and varieties                                – bare root up to 14-16cm

Populus an d varieties                                – bare root up to 18-20cm

Prunus and varieties                                   – bare root up to 14-16cm

Quercus robor                                              – bare root up to 10-12cm

Quercus palustris                                        – bare root up to 10-12cm

Salix and varieties                                       – bare root up to 12-14cm

Sorbus aucuparia a nd varieties               – bare root up to 14-16cm

Sorbus aria and varieties                           – bare root up to 14-16cm

Tilia and varieties                                        – bare root up to 16-18cm

Ulmus and varieties                                    – bare root up to 16-18cm

Tree roots should not be left exposed to drying winds and should be adequately watered on planting.

Methods to Extend Tree Planting Season

Method 1: – Place the rootballed trees in Coco fibre and basket, stand securely upright and set up automatic irrigation.

Advantages: – Trees can be planted in good condition until mid June.

Disadvantages: – Trees will require daily watering after planting.

– Trees deteriorate considerably on the nursery after mid June as they have no nutrients left.

Method 2: – Pot the bareroot or rootballed trees in air pots (spring rings) with peat compost, stand securely upright and set up automatic irrigation.

Advantages: – Trees can be planted in good condition from the end of July onwards.

Disadvantages: – Trees cannot be planted before mid July as they will not have rooted before then.

-Trees will require daily watering after planting.

Method 3: – Buy the trees already established in pots.

Advantages: – The trees have been grown for planting out of season and can be planted any time.

Disadvantages: – Not every variety and size is available all year round but av. lists can be obtained on request

– Trees will require daily watering after planting.