Tree Planting

[Jerry-B-WI]

Have any of you gents ever trimmed the roots of a bareroot tree that you're planting? You know sorta give it a haircut before sticking it in the ground.

 

[Thomasc19]

I've never trimmed the roots - if they're too long I just open the hole up a bit more, never had any issues but interested to see what others say

 

[Hoytvectrix]

Absolutely. I didn't use to prune them thinking that you might set the tree back, but I think it has helped, if anything. That said, I really only prune J-shaped roots. I make sure that they are mostly vertical and cut off as little as possible.

 

[Prairie Acres]

Have any of you gents ever trimmed the roots of a bareroot tree that you're planting? You know sorta give it a haircut before sticking it in the ground.

Yes I did when I planted my Norway spruce this spring. I was told by a employee at the nursery where I bought the trees that I could. I'm a little nervous I overdid it.

 

[TWalter91]

I do all the time. I like most of the roots to be the same length. I try not to cut off more then 1/3 of the root though.

 

[KY wild]

I have been trimming them for years and all have lived, but I really have no way to know how much it slowed the tree

 

[cavey]

Definitely with softwood planting - especially with hand spade planting - no point in trying to plant if the roots are bigger than the hole and your bunching them up at the bottom. I have a softwood planting spade that is smaller and built for speed and a larger hardwood spade that makes a bigger slit. I've been told its good to trim to stimulate growth too. If there is an odd ball with a mess of a root system ya trim - especially when your talking thousands of trees. If your plating a few then dig a bigger hole and stick it in, it should benefit from the larger root system.

Hardwood bareroot trees - oaks and maples tend to have fewer but thicker roots with the tap root sheared off. I usually dont trim them.

If you really want to see a root system - buy some Basswood bareroots .... Its like trying to plant Cousin Itt

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

I did on all my 200 Norway spruce from the SWCD this past month. They got them from a different source then usual and the roots were crazy long! Some probably pushing 3'. The director said I'd be fine to trim them and so far, they're all looking good.