Communities Save Money Planting Large Bare Root Trees

Historically, most of the trees in our communities were planted bare root. That means the young trees are not grown in a pot or transplanted with a heavy soil ball covering the roots, the way we typically move large trees around today.

Since 1998, Penn State Extension Urban Forester, Vinnie Cotrone has coordinated a community tree buying program that has resulted in more than 15,000 bare root trees being planted in northeastern Pennsylvania communities, saving communities over $2.5 million.

After learning about Cornell University's Dr. Nina Bassuk's research with large caliper bare root trees, Cotrone decided to transplant a few trees and begin working with municipal shade tree commissions in the northeast that were interested in trying this "not so new" process. That first year, he had two communities give it try (driving all the way to the nursery in western New York that specialized in digging large bare root trees). It has since evolved into more than 25 communities buying a total of 800-900 trees a year, split between spring and fall. The bare root planting and community group ordering has grown in interest to include communities from the Harrisburg and Allentown area, and the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, which plants close to 1000 bare root trees each year in Philadelphia.

Dr. Bassuk's research discovered that some species are easier to move bare root than others, and by dipping the roots in a hydrogel (wetting agent that clings to the roots) and then bagging them for shipment in a refrigerated truck, the roots can be protected from drying out quickly. For more information about the process visit the Cornell Urban Horticulture Institute or view Creating an Urban Forest: The Bare Root Method.

Why Plant Bare Root Trees instead of container grown or balled & burlapped?

• bare root trees cost about 40% less than balled & burlapped
• reduced shipping costs (approximately $3.00/tree)
• reduced labor and installation costs compared to balled & burlapped trees
• volunteers can easily plant these trees, carrying them in one hand.
• good survival rates because the trees have 200% more fibrous roots than B&B
• trees are planted at the proper depth because the roots and trunk flare are visible

Each year, communities have become accustomed to ordering bare root trees and planting them in the spring or fall with volunteers or public works crews, because the trees are affordable and manageable. All the need to do is meet the delivery truck, help unload and load their trucks and make sure they plant the bare root trees within a few days of delivery.

In 2020, the Bare Root Program got a boost when TreePennsylvania offered a mini-grant statewide for communities, providing twenty 1.5" caliper (diameter at the base) at no cost to the community. Seventeen communities were awarded approximately 600 trees after applying online.

During the week of November 9, 2020, three large, refrigerated tractor-trailers delivered 1179 trees across the state of Pennsylvania for 49 different community plantings. Not all the trees were funded by the TreePennsylvania's mini-grant. It is estimated that the fall 2020 bare root orders and plantings will save communities $471,600. Real money that most communities can't afford to spend on growing their community forest.

The Penn State Extension Urban Forestry Team and DCNR Foresters assisted with delivery coordination, as the orders are not delivered to each community, but instead wind up at strategic drop sites where 6-8 communities help unload the trees and reload their truck, protecting the trees and their roots from desiccation. According to Extension Urban Forester Vinnie Cotrone, "We are not only saving money for communities on the cost of the trees, but the group delivery and shipping has made it even more attractive and affordable." When everyone pitches in to help unload the tractor-trailers, it takes no time at each stop.

Cotrone says that communities have reported an overall survival rate of 90+ percent. "We have planted some moderately difficult-to-transplant species and they are surviving, including ginkgo, hackberry, zelkova—even a few hornbeams. Our losses are quite low." Cotrone has ingrained in the communities that to plant bare root trees that they should only participate if they can plant the trees quickly and provide adequate water to ensure good survival and establishment. Communities also need to be flexible on delivery dates and locations.