Transplanting success of balled-and-burlapped versus bare-root trees in the Urban Landscape

Abstract

In this study, 40-mm-caliper (1.5-in.) balled-and-burlapped (B&B) and bare-root (BR) hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), American hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) were paired and planted on sites throughout the city of Ithaca, New York. Half of the trees were planted in fall, half in spring. BR trees received a hydrogel root dip at the nursery to prevent post-harvest root desiccation. Survival rates were excellent for all treatment combinations except spring-planted BR hophornbeam, which experienced 50% mortality. Growth measurements were taken in August of the first and second growing seasons. First-year results showed many significant differences between treatments. By the end of the second growing season, however, very few significant differences in growth responses between treatments persisted. During the first growing season, fall-planted BR hackberry grew better than fall-planted B&B hackberry. Growth on spring-planted hackberry was better on B&B trees. Fall-planted hop-hornbeam responded equally well B&B and BR, but spring-planted hophornbeam grew better B&B. Swamp white oak grew somewhat better B&B than BR, regardless of season. Both B&B and BR swamp white oak planted in fall grew somewhat better than their spring-planted counterparts. A separate study on swamp white oak looked at the impact of withholding irrigation on spring-planted, paired B&B and BR trees. B&B and BR swamp white oak trees performed equally well after two growing seasons characterized by drought.