Bare root tree season is an exciting time of year. For many gardeners, months of planning and preparation come to a climax as long anticipated specimens of deciduous trees arrive.

You will receive SMS advice that your trees are ready to pick up. The initial rush is always extremely hectic at the Garden Centre. You may prefer to wait a few days rather than come in on the first weekend and face the crowds. Don’t forget to bring a towel, newspaper or wrapping to protect the root system during transport.

The carpark gets very busy. We will have a traffic manager directing traffic and parking, so look out for the High Vis person and follow their directions. If you are bringing a trailer, you may be directed to park at Stirling Square until there is space in the carpark.

Please DO NOT park on the corner land directly at the lights on James Street as it is home to another business!

Collecting your bare root plants

Once you arrive, please check-in with the person at the front gate and quote your order number or mobile. They will give you a Pick-up Docket with the details of your tree order.

Take your Docket to the tree beds at the back of the Garden Centre. THIS AREA IS STRICTLY FOR STAFF ONLY. Customers are not permitted to access the tree beds or remove any trees. Please be patient and we will serve you as quickly as possible.

Pruning & Payment

Once the tree is removed from the bed, staff will rinse and tidy up the roots, and then prune the canopy.

Pruning your bare root tree is essential to ensure quick establishment and healthy growth. The roots have been pruned during harvesting. This dramatically affects the tree’s ability to absorb moisture and nutrients, as well as support and anchor itself. The roots and canopy are no longer in proportion and the canopy must be pruned. Pruning back by two-thirds will reduce the number of buds requiring energy and allow the limited root network to supply enough nutrients to the remaining buds. Pruning also encourages new, compact growth which can be trained if you want to shape your new tree.

We will prune all bare root trees before they leave the nursery. If you refuse this free service all guarantees will be void. For more information, please see our Tree Guarantee and Replacement Policy.

Take your pruned trees to the showroom counter to pay, then take your receipt to the front gate. Staff will check your receipt and help you collect any soil supplements.

Transporting

Remember that although dormant, once removed from soil, bare root trees are susceptible to drying out. If it is only a short trip home, please come prepared with a towel or paper to wrap around the roots to prevent soil making your car dirty. We cannot supply plastic bags or wrapping for your trees.

For longer trips, we recommend wrapping the roots gently in damp newspaper or a damp towel and placing the root ball in a plastic bag. Always avoid transporting the trees uncovered in the tray of a ute or trailer. Even dormant, bare root plants can dry out in high winds experienced when driving.

Bare root trees need to be planted as soon as possible. If the tree is left exposed for an extended period of time and the roots dry out, the tree will die.

Planting

Plant your tree into prepared soil as soon as possible. If the tree is going to be out of the soil for a short time, make sure the roots remain moist (not wet) by covering with damp soil (potting mix is fine as a temporary means) or even moist, shredded newspaper. If there is going to be a delay of days or weeks before planting into the garden, the tree should be planted into a tree bag or pot to ensure its survival.

Perth has very nutrient deficient soils with little to no organic matter. It is essential to improve the soil prior to planting with soil improvers, composts, manures and mulches.

As a general rule for sandy soils, plant into equal parts of existing soil and a good quality compost, such as The Green Life Soil Co Soil Builder. This ratio can be reduced for heavier clay soils or soils which have been recently improved. We also recommend that Cassie’s Clay is added to sandy soils. This clay based product assists greatly with water and nutrient retention as well as reducing the soil’s water repellence.

For heavier, gravely, soils in the Perth hills, a mixture of 1/3 compost and 2/3 existing soil is usually adequate. Build the improved soil up into a mound to increase drainage. If there is a high concentration of clay in the soil, Gypsum must be added.

Planting Steps

Watering

Planting in winter during bare root season definitely reduces the need for hand watering. Heavy rains keep soil moist and cool, which is perfect for trees establishing a new root system after transplanting.

Monitor soil moisture levels and only water as needed to keep the soil moist, but not wet. Push your fingers into the soil around the tree. If your fingertips touch moist soil, the tree doesn’t need watering.

As the dry spells increase, you will need to introduce a watering plan. Bare root trees need extra care to make up for a smaller root system, but remember that overwatering can also cause problems. Do not water every day because you think the tree needs water. Always check the soil and water as required.

Fertilising

If planted correctly in improved soil, bare root trees will not need to be fertilised until they begin to grow and leaves start to develop. Add a diluted Seasol solution fortnightly to stimulate healthy root growth. Once the tree is actively growing, apply a quality slow release fertiliser such as Troforte to provide nutrients, trace elements and soil microorganisms.

Our trees have quality assurance

Bare root trees are grown specifically to be transported and sold to the public throughout Australia. Our reputable suppliers ensure all trees are top quality specimens before being harvested from their growing soil. Roots are trimmed then the trees are washed and dipped to prevent the transportation of diseases or pests. Transport is quick and efficient, with the trees maintained in cool conditions with damp roots. Once at the nursery, trees are ‘heeled-in’ to loose soil to maintain root moisture and temperature. 

If something’s not quite right

We appreciate your custom and want your garden to be beautiful. If you have trouble with your bare root trees not shooting or not performing, please contact us immediately so that we can help to identify problems and stop them getting any worse.

Email us at info@guildfordgardencentre.com.au with details of the problem and photos of your tree. Bare Root Trees must be planted as recommended and problems must be advised before 30 November.

See our Bare Root Tree guarantee for more information.

Note: this guide is for planting out bare-root trees. In case you need it, we have a separate Bagged Tree Planting Guide.

This is intended as general information only. Please ask one of our qualified horticulturists for more specific advice for your situation.