Understanding tree packaging before you plant

What burlap, nursery pots and fabric pouches mean for your new tree

Two trees can look much alike above ground and arrive with very different packages around their roots. One may have a heavy ball wrapped in burlap, another a rigid nursery pot, and another a soft fabric pouch. Those differences matter when you move the tree, keep it watered and get it ready for the garden.

Start with the tree itself: its mature size, light needs and fit for your yard. Our deciduous and flowering tree catalog can help you compare those basics. Then ask the nursery to explain the particular root package you are buying. Packaging is part of the planting plan, not a quality ranking by itself.

Balled and burlapped trees

Balled-and-burlapped trees, often shortened to B&B, are grown in the ground and dug with soil around their roots. Burlap and twine hold that ball together; larger trees may also have a wire basket. You will often see this method used for larger nursery stock.

The important handling rule is to support the root ball. Do not lift a heavy tree by its trunk or let the ball drop and break apart. Plan the route from the delivery area to the planting spot before moving it, and arrange suitable help or equipment when needed.

Keep the ball moist while the tree waits to be planted especially if the temperatures are above 80 degrees or more. 12-24 hours before planting you can stop watering so the root ball isn't too mushy when you go to transport it and the root ball can firm up for transportation and planting.

Before planting, identify the wrapping material and find the root flare. Remove ties from around the trunk. Synthetic burlap must be removed completely. Natural burlap and wire-basket recommendations vary, so have the nursery or installer explain how they will remove the materials while protecting the roots and keeping the ball stable. Do not simply assume everything underground will disappear.

Container grown trees

Container-grown trees are raised in pots, usually in a nursery growing mix. A rigid pot keeps that mix contained during transport, but it comes off before the tree goes into the ground.

After removing it, inspect the outside of the root ball. Roots can circle the container or form a dense mat. Those problems should be corrected at planting rather than hidden in the hole; ask for guidance if large roots are tightly wrapped or the correction is beyond your experience.

A potted tree does not have a fixed shelf life determined only by fertilizer. Watering, available root space and the condition of the plant all matter. Plant promptly when conditions are suitable, and ask how to care for it if installation must wait. The pot may be reusable if it can be removed intact, but protecting the tree matters more than saving the container.

Fabric growing pouches

Fabric growing bags are another type of nursery container. Some have handles and breathable sides, and their materials and intended lifespan vary. “Root Pouch” is also a brand name, so not every fabric bag is the same product.

Some fabric pots can be reused. Root Pouch’s Boxer line is designed to last several seasons, while other lines use different fabric blends and have different intended uses. Recycled plastic content does not mean a bag will completely biodegrade in your yard.

For a plant purchased in a Root Pouch, the manufacturer’s home-gardening instructions say to cut the side and remove the pouch, then follow the nursery’s planting directions. Confirm the exact product before installation. Support the roots as the fabric is removed, and do not leave an unidentified bag around the root ball just because it feels soft.

The same priorities after unpacking

Locate the root flare, where the trunk broadens into the main roots. It should remain visible at or slightly above the surrounding soil level, rather than being buried under extra soil. Dig a broad hole, backfill with the soil you removed and water the root area thoroughly.

In Southwest Washington, check moisture at the original root ball rather than assuming rainfall has watered it sufficiently. Keep it moist without leaving it waterlogged, and adjust care to the species. A Japanese maple, for example, still needs attention during dry periods.

Finish with mulch kept away from the trunk; our guide to garden mulch explains common choices. Whichever package your tree arrives in, careful handling and consistent follow-through give it a better start.