Buying Trees

Choose from balled, burlapped, containers, or bare rooted…

One of the real advantages of container-grown plants is that there is less shock when the plant is transplanted.

Generally, nurseries will have shrubs and trees for sale in three categories; balled and burlapped, in containers, or bare rooted.

The balled and burlapped type.

A ball of soil is wrapped in burlap and pinned with nails. When you're handling this kind of plant, never lift it by its stem or trunk and don't remove the burlap when you plant the tree. Rough handling can loosen the ball of soil and endanger the life of the plant.

Balled plants are usually larger than container grown plants of the same price. Also, they are usually field grown, and may be better adjusted to conditions in your lawn.

Container-grown plants…

Popular with nurseries, the most common sizes of containers are one gallon, two gallon and five gallon.

One of the real advantages of container-grown plants is that there is less shock when the plant is transplanted. The container should be cut with special shears by the nurseryman so the plant can be lifted out of the container easily without disturbing the soil.

Bare rooted plants…

These type plants are commonly offered by nurseries, but these plants are a little more risky than the two mentioned previously, especially during the spring.

For more information on buying trees, contact your local County Extension Office.