I'm in USDA hardiness zone 4 and I'm looking to plant some bare root trees this season. From what I've learned, the best time to plant bare root trees is while they're still dormant, allowing them to wake up alongside the local weather. However, I've noticed that several online nurseries set their delivery dates for zone 4 between May and June, which is already into the growing season for hardier plants. I'm worried that if I plant a tree in May, it'll just be starting to settle in during the hotter July and August months, which can be tough for a plant that's adapting. I'm curious why nurseries have this scheduling, and if anyone has tips for caring for a bare root tree if I end up planting it later than ideal, or if you know any nurseries that might ship earlier?
4 Answers
That’s interesting! The nurseries I usually order from don’t have a crazy schedule like that. You might want to ask them about shipping options directly.
Have you thought about checking with local nurseries? Sometimes they have options that online places don’t, and they might offer bare root trees for earlier planting.
I looked into that, but the local nurseries around me only offer potted plants.
They often keep the trees in dormancy by storing them in a cold room until shipping. You can usually request a specific shipping time. June does seem late, though. Just make sure to plant after the soil has dried a bit from winter, and remember to keep watering the first year to help them get settled.
Which ones do you usually order from?