LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, November 5

Executing a Landscape Renovation

Prepping Large Woody Ornamentals for Planting

When large trees or shrubs are needed in a landscape renovation, Crabapple LandscapExperts select them as field-grown specimens in-ground at a tree nursery to ensure our clients get the healthiest plants with the prettiest branching habits. These are typically mechanically dug with a large root ball. 

To maintain the root ball and keep it from splitting during transport, the nursery wraps it with burlap, ties it with twine that is secured with nails or pins, and places it in a wire basket.

 

What is good for transporting, however, is not good for growth after planting.To prevent a check in growth or serious root deformation our LandscapExperts Team: 

• Removes the slow-to-biodegrade wire basket (or cuts it apart if it is to remain in the hole)
• Cuts the twine circling the trunk
• Pulls out the nails or pins 
• Removes the burlap covering the root ball (in particular, any portion of the burlap that protrudes above ground must be removed, so it does not act as a wick and pull water out of the ground, and most certainly if the burlap is synthetic and not natural fiber)

This practice ensures the roots will have the easiest time of becoming established, without physical impediment to root growth.