HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BALLED AND BURLAPPED AND CONTAINER TREES
When you visit us at Dammann's Garden Co., you may notice that our trees come in various forms; some come in plastic containers, some are in bags with handles, and some have a big burlap sack around the bottom. Each option has something to offer and will plant in your yard with different results and needs. Here are some of the basics of each type of tree storage to make the best decision for your landscape design!
Trees in Containers, Such as Plastic Pots or Bags
These trees are grown in plastic containers, making them portable with an intact root system. Here are some benefits of planting container trees:
Plant any time of the year. Regardless of the season, these trees are ready to go into the ground right away, making them highly flexible for landscape design through the summer.
Lightweight to transport and plant. Trees stored in containers stay on the smaller side until you put them in the ground, making them easy to purchase from the garden center and plant yourself.
Fast-growing with instant gratification. Container trees grow fast and are an excellent option for instant color and dimension in your garden. You can choose fast-growing varieties if you want to see a robust tree in your yard within a year or two.
Of course, there are a few things to consider with a potted tree before you bring one home. Container trees can become root-bound in their container, where the roots grow in circles in the pot and will have a difficult time spreading once in the ground. You can easily fix this with a clean gardening knife; cut the roots around the outside and an "x" across the bottom of the root ball, loosening them up so that they can spread out.
Balled and Burlapped Trees
Trees wrapped in burlap at the bottom are usually larger trees harvested with machinery that cuts into the ground and lifts the established tree out. These trees take a bit more to harvest and install, but the benefits might be worth it! Here's why these trees might be a great option for you:
Larger trees, right from the start. These trees are already large, so you'll get instant gratification in your yard. They are sturdy and will require less protection than young container trees.
Instant privacy. Balled and burlapped trees are great for instant privacy to enjoy your yard in peace.
Sturdy for the seasons. These trees can be larger with thicker trucks, which means they can handle the wind and weather better than young trees.
Balled and burlapped trees typically require machinery to install because they have such a large root ball; this can be expensive, but if you have a hearty budget for your landscape design, the finished look and instant gratification might be worth it. These plants will take a couple of years to establish their root system again, which means they won't grow much above ground for that time, but with a tall stature already, you'll still get the shade and privacy benefits of your new tree!
Visit Dammann's Garden Company to find container and balled and burlapped trees near you for your yard this summer! We are happy to help answer any questions you have, and help you find the perfect variety and planting style for you and your landscaping needs.