Written by Walter L. Goodwater, Fannin County Master Gardener
Selecting healthy bareroot trees, shrubs, and vines for spring planting is vital. Tens of thousands of bareroot plants are packaged in plastic bags and sold each year. Bareroot is a great alternative for back-yard growers to obtain inexpensive stock as opposed to potted plants. However, there are a few
considerations. Surviving transplantation does not ensure a long life if a plant was sick or damaged initially. Poor selection will almost always result in plant failure.
First, inspect before purchasing. Smell the top of the bag. Avoid plants that smell rotten or sour. Inspect the trunk/main stem for any damage. A damaged trunk will reform bark that creates a hollow, weakening the trunk. Especially with trees, avoid any with a pinched “Y” union at the initial branch. These “Y” unions tend to split the trunks of mature trees if not corrected through careful pruning. Lastly, check under the wire twist. Reject plants that have a groove cut into the trunk from the wire. In the store, select only the best plants.
Second, inspect the roots at home. Roots should be fresh, plump and straight with the main roots largely intact. Return plants with dried out or mushy bad-smelling roots. Also reject badly spiraled or missing/badly damaged main roots. Lastly, be sure to care for bareroots by watering and planting asap.
Typically, bareroot plants come with a 1-year guarantee. However, real problems occur years later. Being selective in the beginning helps avoid many serious problems in the future.