Market and Ship Plants

Balled and Burlapped Process

Balled and Burlapped

Balled and burlapped, otherwise known as B & B are transplants shipped to the consumer after having been planted, dug up and wrapped. Balled refers to the root ball has been dug up while burlapped refers to the wrapping material used for transporting these trees and shrubs. The burlap is used to hold the soil together and is secured with string, wire or twine. Balling and burlapping trees and shrubs is one way of packaging them for market. This practice is usually done with large trees and with conifers and evergreens of various sizes. Generally the larger sizes of deciduous types and all evergreen types of field grown nursery stock are dug as balled and burlapped, balled and potted or balled and bagged. It is important to dig the appropriate size ball for a particular size plant. These ball sizes should always be of a diameter and depth large enough to contain the roots necessary for transplanting. Industry standards recommend the minimum sizes for these balls for different plants. The recommended ball sizes are as follows; For plants with a diameter of less than 20 inches, the depth should not be less than 75% of diameter or of width. For plants with a diameter of 20- 30 inches, the depth should not be less than 66 2/3% or 2/3 width. For plants with a diameter of 31- 48 inches, the depth should not be less than 60% or 3/5 of with. Balls with a diameter of 30 inches or more should be drumlaced.

The following table outlines the advantages and disadvantages of this type of root form. Advantages Larger materials can be transplanted Less damage to the root system Can be transplanted at any time or season Disadvantages Usually the most expensive Soil ball adds weight and bulk which add to shipping cost Expensive installation equipment required for larger plants. 2

Guidelines for digging and processing the plants Smaller trees can be dug by hand while larger trees are dug mechanically (using mechanical spades). The plants should be dug so as to retain as many fibrous roots as possible, and should be handled in such a way that the ball will not be loosened to cause stripping of the small feeding roots or cause the soil to drop away from these roots. You should ensure that the soil ball is round, not flat and misshapen. It should contain enough roots to ensure survival of the plants, yet not be too heavy. The plants should be taken from the field immediately after digging and placed in a cool humid area and the root balls watered in order to minimize water stress. Use squares of burlap large enough to cover the ball. These are available pre-cut or they can be cut off a roll. Burlap is also available in treated (rot-resistant) or untreated form. Treated burlap is more expensive but is needed if the plants are to be stored unplanted for a while. Untreated burlap can be used when the plants are going to be transplanted soon after harvest. The burlap should be secured with twine. Larger plants can be secured using the technique of drum-lacing, in which twine is wrapped around the ball then laced in a zigzag pattern. Balled and burlapped plants are quite heavy. They require special equipment and careful handling. All plants should be lifted and carried by the soil, not by the branches. Large plants should be moved with a forklift or tractor. The ball should be carefully handled to prevent it from breaking apart. Keep balled and burlapped stock in a sheltered location until you are ready to ship them and remember to keep the root ball damp. The maximum time lapse between digging and being properly loaded for delivery to the site of the work or being placed in approved storage should be 4 days. Steps to Plant a Balled and Burlapped Plant 1. Buy balled-and-burlapped trees or shrubs for planting in autumn or spring. Deciduous plants can also be set out during mild spells in winter if ground conditions allow. 2. Put your tree or shrub in a cool, shady place, cover the rootball with mulch, and keep the roots moist until planting time. 3. Calculate your hole dimensions carefully: a B-and-B plant is heavy, but the roots are easily damaged. The less you have to move it the better. You'll want to set the plant into the hole so that the bottom of the trunk (or trunks) is just above the soil surface. 4. Measure the rootball, then dig a hole that's about six inches wider all around and roughly as deep. Lay a flat stake across the hole, measure the distance from the stake to the bottom of the hole and adjust the depth as needed.

5. Loosen up the sides of the hole with your shovel, and, if your plant is too large to lift and lower without strain, cut down one side of the hole so that it forms a slope. Then simply slide the plant down the ramp and into the hole. Place stakes in the hole if you're planting a tree that will need support . 6. Move the plant to the hole very carefully. Ease the plant onto a plastic tarpaulin and drag it to the site; don't roll it. If your plant is large, or if you have several, it pays to rent a special plant-moving hand cart from a nursery or equipment rental shop. 7. Lower the rootball into the hole, covering and all. Remove any synthetic wrappings or fastenings. Leave natural burlap and twine in place (they'll rot quickly) but cut away any burlap around the trunk; if it sticks out above ground it will wick moisture away from the roots. 8. Fill the hole about halfway with soil and tamp it lightly with your foot to remove large air pockets. Make sure the tree or shrub is standing straight up, then water slowly to saturate the soil and remove any remaining air pockets. 9. Finish filling the hole with soil. Use any extra to build a temporary berm at the drip line (the place on the ground directly below the outer edges of the foliage) and water again. 10. Keep the soil moist for the first year after planting. Mulch to retain moisture, but keep at least six inches bare around the trunk. Check frequently; if you see yellow leaves or the soil feels dry, water immediately.