Root-ball trees

Root-ball (RB) plants are similar to bare-root in that they have been planted directly into the ground. However, when they are dug out, the soil around the roots remains intact and is wrapped in a biodegradable bag which will allow new root growth and can be put directly into the tree pit during planting.

Like bare-root trees, root-ball trees have a limited planting window, from November to March. Planting them outside this time brings a high risk of failure. They are another economic option, though incurring slightly higher costs than bare-root trees because the size of the root ball and weight of the soil adds to the transportation costs.

 On the downside, like bare-root plants, root-ball trees have a significant failure rate because their roots have been cut. To boost the chances of success, RB trees are best planted soon after delivery and then watered rigorously during the first year.

As root-ball trees have lost many of their fine, fibrous roots, they can take longer to establish.

Root-ball trees are most suitable for easy-rooting species and are particularly good if you are looking for a very large specimen or particular species.

Container grown trees

Also known as containerised or potted plants, container grown (CG) trees will have been grown in a pot for at least 12 months, giving them time to establish a good fibrous root system – which, crucially, isn’t disturbed when the plant is transplanted. This gives them a very high success rate in comparison to bare-root or root-ball trees.

Growing trees, shrubs and hedging in containers extends the planting season and, theoretically, CG trees are available for planting all year round. In practice, it is best to avoid planting even container grown trees in frozen, sodden or very arid soil.

With potted trees and shrubs you have a far wider selection from which to choose, since evergreen and semi-evergreen trees never fully enter a dormant phase and are thus too sensitive to be lifted directly from the soil at any time of year.