STEP BY STEP

Plant bareroot trees

Bare-root trees are available to buy now. Plant them as soon as they’re delivered, because the roots are vulnerable to drying out, not having any soil around them. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour or two before planting and support trees with a stake in windy sites.

1 DIG a hole that’s twice as wide as the root ball and a little deeper. Loosen the soil in the bottom with a fork and soak with water.

2 EXAMINE the roots and trim any that are damaged, much longer than the others or crowded. This will stimulate more growth.

3 HOLD the tree upright and backfill the hole so the roots are just below the surface and the stem base is exposed. Firm in with your foot.