Steps to planting a Balled and Burlapped (B&B) Tree

Curtis Swift, Ph.D., Colorado State University Extension

Planting a B & B tree

Wayne Hopper and Matt Morgan of Landscape Design and Construction set the tree in the hole.
Check this publication to learn more about planting a tree at the proper depth.
Matt makes sure the tree is plumb and held in place with soil around the bottom of the root ball.

The twine is completely removed from the root ball3

Matt removes the twine and discards it in the trash. This twine should not be buried in the planting hole.

Wayne removes the nails used to pin the burlap together, discards the nails in the trash and rolls the burlap down to check the integrity of the root ball. Broken root balls can result in major stress or even tree death.

stabilizing the root ball of a B&B tree

Wayne adds more soil around the root ball to provide further stability before the wire basket and burlap is removed.

Removing the upper tier of the Wire Basketremoving the burlap on a balled and burlapped tree

Wayne and Matt remove the top tier of the wire basket and remove it from the planting hole. The bottom and lower portion of the wire basket remains in the hole. This helps keep the root ball intact while removing the portion of the wire basket that might interfere with root growth.

Removing the burlap from the root ball of a B&B treeremoving burlap from the root ball of a balled and burlapped tree

Matt cuts the burlap away from the root ball and removes it from the planting hole. The burlap under the remaining portion of the wire basket remains in the hole. Care is taken to ensure the root ball remains intact.

backfill is applied and a dam installed on the down-hill side of the treeforming the water basin around a balled and burlapped tree

Backfill is returned to the planting hole. Since this tree was planted on a slope a dam on the lower side of the planting hole is designed to ensure water is retained. The tree is then watered to ensure the root ball is moist.

Guying a B&B tree

In this situation the tree is guyed high and with colorful wire to ensure the safety of those walking through this area. Guying is done to hold the root ball in place and thus can be done 12 to 18 inches above the top of the root ball. In park-like areas guying high is recommended to ensure the safety of the general public. A nylon strap is used to avoid trunk damage.

Placed on the Internet March 6, 2007; Updated December 30, 2009