My bare root trees arrived today. Forecast for next 2 days is 86F, then temperature drops. Should I plant them out tonight or store to plant after the hot spell? They already have spent a week in the box. If I need to wait until after the heat, what would be the best way to store them? Can I just put them in tab and cover root with dump peat moss?It is still relatively cool in the basement.
2 Likes
I consider 86°F warm, but not hot. I’d have no qualms about planting them now in my environment.
1 Like
I think the difference is delta between soil and air temperature. We had hard freeze of 26F 3 days ago 2 nights in a row. The soil now is 40-45F depending on a spot… Still no problem?
1 Like
That level of heat isn’t an issue if the trees are still pretty dormant. If they’re leafed out it’s a different equation. There is also the option of shade if leafed out. I’ve used frost blanket and shade cloth in such situations.
2 Likes
I’ve no idea. Better check with folks more familiar with your climate – like fruitnut!
2 Likes
If it’s dormant and you can dig into the soil, then ok to plant in permanent place now. I would soak roots in water an hour before planting to assure roots are moist and tree is not desiccating. If it’s already breaking bud, I would dig it in and insulate it well. If already leaved out, better to pot and keep indoors until danger of frost goes by
Dennis
Kent, wa
1 Like
If there’s no fine white roots growing out, it means it’s very dormant.
If you want to play it safe, you could plant it out in the later afternoon when it’s cooler and sun is less overhead and intense.
1 Like
I’m in 6a with similar weather and have been planting my bare root dormant trees. I plant later in the day and mulch a bunch after watering in. The ground is still pretty cool and I don’t think the sun is yet intense enough to really be an issue. I used to do the same thing with container trees and never bothered to move them into the shade.
2 Likes
I have no experience with such an extreme temperature differential. Going from 26F to 86F in a few days is a lot!
I often keep bare root tree’s or rootstock inside or in a shed for a few days.
I prefer coco choir over peat. But peat should work fine to.
The trick is to have it slightly moist. But not wet. If it’s to wet and if plants have been shipped sometimes you can get some fungus on the roots. But even if that happens, often it will disappear on it’s own.
The thing is though that a bare root tree has virtually no hair roots. And thus very limited ability to take up moisture. That’s no problem if the tree is still (relatively) dormant. And looses very little water. But if it’s already leafing out and with those temps. I would keep it in a shaded spot or use some shade cloth.
in extreme cases (bare root transplanting in summer for example) it might be necessary to partially or completely deleaf the tree. A tree can often recover just fine from loosing it’s leaves. But can’t recover if the leaves transpire more moisture then the roots can supply and then the stem “dries out”
1 Like
Trees do not have any leaves yet, but flower buds are opening on the apricot. I will try to shade the trees after I plant them for the hot days
Galina,
80F on 4/13 may not be “hot” for those in warmer zones. It is unusually hot for us here in MA. In fact, 4/14 temp is supposed to be record breaking hot in almost 80 years (if Channel 5 is to be believed 
).
If you want to plant them in ground, I would shade them well until rain arrive on Sun.
If it were me, once the box arrives, I would open to check if the condition of the trees esp. whether or not the roots are dry. I’d made sure roots are moist. Then, I’d close the box and put it in the very cool area of your house. I’d plant them out on Sat.
I have done that a few times in the past. Keeping trees in the box in a cool area until the condition is good to plant.
You said your trees have no roots. You mean they have a few large roots and no fine roots?
1 Like
I would wait to plant the trees until it’s a bit cooler too.
1 Like
Not roots, leaves ! Sorry, corrected
1 Like