Burlap, on or off?

[LawnMtc]

Here is my question. I have planted several bushes lately for customers. I really don't know if I should take the Burlap off or not. I have had mixed replies from the local nurseries.

[Evan528]

i dont take it off. I just cut the top off the root ball free and peel i back. by removing the burlap you risking thr rootball getting damaged or falling apart during planting.

[Toddppm]

If the ball will stay together i always take it off, otherwise just cut the top half off. I took a pine tree out one time that was about 12" diameter, fell over in a storm , it never grew major roots out of the burlap, burlap and wire basket were completely intact after about 10 years in the ground!

[Evan528]

oviously the wire wont desinigrate... that has to be removed!

[paul]

Sorry guys, wire baskets stay on the trees and burlap gets cut from the throats of the tree but still left on the top of the plant. Studys have been done on how long the burlap and baskets last, burlap (untreated) lasts one to two years with major detoration in one year, treated can last up to three years. Wire baskets last five to 10 years but the roots will grow out of them in two years. Problems with plants that don't grow root systems is not because of the basket but the soil around them.

[Runner]

The basket should be cut especially around the top or it will choke the tree. The burlap should be scored open with a utility knife such as a banana knife in vertical slits around the bottom and sides to help root expansion. The burlap should also be cut around the top to allow trunk expansion and let water through freely. Just my 2 cents worth. :)

[paul]

I have yet to see a basket that goes over the top of the root ball.

A proper basket goes just up to the top of the root ball if they are using over size baskets then i think you might want to find another nursery, or they are undersizing the ball of the tree and still you are not getting the proper basket grip and could have damage done to the root system.

[LawnMtc]

Thanks. I usually cut the top off and peel it back a little.I tried taking the wire off one time and it was a pain. I hope my customers bushes don't die because I didn't put any slices in the sides.

[GroundKprs]

If you have a plant in plastic burlap, then remove the wrap entirely; haven't seen any for years, but have seen quite a few sick plants where it wasn't removed. Wire baskets have been found to girdle roots in larger trees; there are tools to cut basket after placing in planting hole.

Proper treatment of burlap: since it will act as a wick, drawing moisture out of the root ball environment and evaporating it, you must not have any of the burlap above the soil line. I have always cut it away, or folded it under, so it is at least 2" to 3" underground.

[Lanelle]

Another reason the burlap should be removed from the trunk of the tree is to prevent moisture from staying around the bark and setting up an environment that promotes rot and borers. The burlap can be spread out from the top of the root ball, covered with dirt and allowed to deteriorate.

[mattingly]

Wire baskets should always be taken off. As a tree grows and expands the roots may be girdled by the basket that is slow to degrade. If possible the burlap should also be taken off. I pulled a taxus that was in the ground 5 years with burlap still in tack and no major root growth out of it. It was dying. Find out from your supplier if the burlap is treated because these must be taken off, no exceptions here.