Bare root season begins the first week of January and continues through early spring. Many field grown deciduous trees, especially fruit trees, are undercut, dug, and then handled and sold with little or no soil on the roots; hence, the name "bare root."

This is really one of the most fun planting times of the year and has several advantages:

* Bare root trees are much more economical to buy - often costing 30-60% less than the price of the same plant sold growing in a container later in the year.

* You will have a much wider variety of fruit trees from which to choose in bare root season. There are great varieties available now that are quite hard to find in later spring, summer, and especially in fall.

* Roots can be examined at the time of purchase to ensure you are buying a quality plant.

* The manner in which a bare root tree is planted allows it to establish faster and better than if planted later from a container. The tree is planted during dormancy, roots become established, thus allowing the tree's energy to go toward growth when the warmth of spring arrives.

Plant your new bare root trees within two days after purchase. Once at home, immediately place your new tree's roots in a container of water with Vitamin B1 added for a minimum of 30 minutes or a maximum of 48 hours before planting. This will keep the roots plump and fresh while preparing your planting site. Do not let these roots dry out! If your new trees cannot be planted within 48 hours of purchase, do not let them stand in water. "Heel them it" in a shady place by gently packing roots with moist sawdust, mulch, or sand. Keep the roots cool, moist, and safe from exposure to frost.

Now it is time for the workout. Dig your planting hole 2-3 times the width of the root mass and deep enough to easily accommodate the length of the roots without cramping, bending, or cutting them to fit. With all the controversy right now regarding soil amendment - "to amend or not to amend" - you must decide to amend your soil based upon your soil condition and personal choice. If you do amend your soil, add a maximum of 1/3 mulch or compost to 2/3 of your native soil. Do not add fertilizer to the planting hole or soil as this can injure the tree. Fertilization should not be done until new growth begins.

Before planting, the roots should be carefully examined. Any broken, twisted, or discolored tips should be trimmed back to healthy tissue.

Next, determine the original soil line by the color change on the trunk. Set the tree in the planting hole so that the soil line of the tree is a bit above the soil line to allow for settling. You do not want your new tree's trunk buried deeper than the original soil level. This could be fatal for the tree.

Now, work the backfill soil around the roots, firming the soil gently as you fill the hole and making sure roots and soil are in contact. Run water slowly over the root area to eliminate air pockets and settle the soil. If your tree settles too deeply, pump it up and down while soil is saturated and raise it to the proper level.

It's a good idea to water a bare root tree initially with a Vitamin B1 solution to give the roots a boost and help prevent transplant shock. Because Vitamin B1 is manufactured by the leaf of a tree, a bare root, leafless trees could benefit from a little extra help. I even enjoy giving a B1 treatment at 2 to 4 weeks after planting. I'm not sure how much it is helping the tree, but it sure makes me feel good - and I've never lost a new tree.

After the initial watering, water new bare root plantings conservatively - watering thoroughly but infrequently. Dormant trees need less water, and if the soil is kept too wet, new feeder roots may not form.

Because much of the root mass is cut and left in the field when the trees are dug, there is a lower root-to-top ratio in bare root trees. The tops must be moderately thinned and pruned so the roots can supply enough water to support the size of the top and the amount of energy in new leaf growth. This pruning may either be per formed at the nursery or after the tree is planted.

Bare root season is a joy. You'll find great, fun varieties at really affordable prices. It's a really enjoyable project at a time of the year when not a lot of other gardening is going on. So, plant your bare root, watch and enjoy the fruits of your labor when spring bursts forth. Happy winter gardening!