Root bags for nursery trees

mdvaden · 8th May 2007, 09:13 PM

I may not be writing on selecting nursery trees, but the project is ongoing in my mind.

When I do it, I think it will need to be presented heavily as "my preference" and why.

Anyhow, this year, I hope to avoid buying trees that come with root bags. It kind of looks like a felt / fabric that takes the place of a pot or burlap and the trees are stored with the rootballs sub-grade. The fabric is supposed to stop the roots from growing outward.

I found that some roots penetrate, and some get embedded. These bags can't stay on like burlap, and I find that removing them shatters the rootball.

Simply put - I despise these root bags.

Eric Frei · 8th May 2007, 09:53 PM

Rooted bags then!

Have you got pics of the specific root bags and perhaps what they do?

mdvaden · 9th May 2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Rooted bags then!

Have you got pics of the specific root bags and perhaps what they do?

I can get pics.

Quote:

Check this out - I found this link and its got good pics of a bunch of stuff. I barely read it, but it looks interesting. About page 35 and 36 shows fabric bags. All I can say, whether good or bad, I'd be suprised to find many arborists that would like dealing with them once they fought with a half dozen or so. Nurseryman seem to have their own theory, but it sure doesn't improve the fight. Here's that link http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/powerpoint...sinnursery.ppt

Basically, its a fabric pot that takes the place of burlap on what we call B&B (balled & burlapped) root balls. The main difference is that burlap allows roots to grow through and the burlap these days can be left on after planting - it decomposses. Usually, just the thick wad wrapped around the truck is peeled back and cut loose.

But being able to leave the burlap on in the ground prevents shifting an un-contained ball and shattering the ball.

The fabric bags have to be ripped off and that means tilting the tree back and forth, often before it even is in the ground - leaving the ball unwrapped vulnerable.

I prefer the burlap, even if sometimes we do need to take a sharp spade and cut the fine roots the penetrate from the burlap to the soil or mulch on the outside. Usually, they are selling trees fast enough, that the roots don't protrude from burlap much.

Eric Frei · 4th July 2010, 10:58 AM

These geniuses in India planted out advanced royal palms in their plastic tubs and many have died.

Planted with plastic, palm trees wither away - Delhi - City - The Times of India

Quote:

Jul 4, 2010

NEW DELHI: Five months after planting royal palm trees on Bhisham Pitamah Marg, the MCD is now uprooting them as almost all the trees have dried up. On Saturday, close to 30 trees were uprooted and later re-planted at the civic body’s nursery in Defence Colony. Environmental activists have pointed out that the trees had been planted along with the plastic bag in which they were transported and hence withered away.

When Times City visited the nursery, workers were ripping off the plastic bags and re-planting the trees in a small area. Some of the trees which were re-planted had green stems. "We have got orders to remove these trees as most of them have dried up. We have re-planted some of them and hope that they become green again. We have removed close to 30-35 trees and the remaining royal palms on the stretch will be removed in a day or two," said an official at the nursery.

All the palm trees were more than seven feet tall and would cost close to Rs 1500 in the market. But MCD officials say that it cost them just Rs 200-300 for each tree as they were bought in bulk.

In order to beautify the road leading to Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium for the Commonwealth Games, close to 100 trees had been planted on the central verge on Bhisham Pitamah Marg in February this year. MCD officials say the weather conditions were not conducive when the trees were planted and the extreme temperature didn’t let the trees strike roots.

"Delhi’s green cover is a myth and people are just minting money in the name of Commonwealth Games. How can they plant such expensive trees along with the plastic bags in which they are transported? And these trees are alive, as they have re-planted them at the nursery. Moreover, these trees have been planted haphazardly on the entire central verge," pointed out Suhas Borker,founder member, Green Circle of Delhi, a voluntary organisation. For building up the green cover, MCD had reportedly asked for Rs 50 crore from Delhi government last year.

MCD’s director, horticulture, SS Kandpal, was shocked to know about the exercise undertaken by his officials on Friday morning. "It is very unfortunate. I have not given any order to uproot the palm trees. And if the trees were re-planted at the nursery, it means they are alive. It’s a crime to uproot a green tree. I’ll take necessary action," he said.

MCD officials say a new variety would replace the trees. "We are planning three levels of plantation and we plan to plant a new variety soon in place of the palm trees," said an MCD official.

Treemo · 4th July 2010, 04:37 PM

I've seen an entire landscaping job, every plant was in the pot, ranging from 100-300mm. Looked great for a month or two, till the mix went hydrophobic and almost everything died.

Though, I've seen trained professionals do a lot worse.

As for the bags, I'm sure cost must weigh heavily on any decision. For example, a 200mm black plastic pot vs a 200mm bag with the bag costing (hypothetically) 100% more, but only saving a small percent from serious adverse effects of circling/'rootbound-ness'.

Ideally, if it wasn't a Mum and Pop retail nursery, and you cared about trees, rather than money, you would be reducing the price of pots as they reached maximum fill, or potting them up before any problems. Or throwing/giving them away when it's too late.

treeshaveneeds · 4th July 2010, 05:39 PM

Sounds like the Trees in India had to be planted in a rush, no time or person to monitor - just get them in the ground and confirm they were all planted. Buying in bulk is only worthwhile if the planting team is big enough and is on board to plant the trees properly. I have seen plenty of plantings that make it thru the season -- just, and then replanted the next year, because the "winter" was too hard on them.

nicoledc109 · 20th July 2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

These geniuses in India planted out advanced royal palms in their plastic tubs and many have died.

Planted with plastic, palm trees wither away - Delhi - City - The Times of India

Such a very amazing link!

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8th May 2007, 09:13 PM	#1
mdvaden Former Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 397	Root bags for nursery trees I may not be writing on selecting nursery trees, but the project is ongoing in my mind. When I do it, I think it will need to be presented heavily as "my preference" and why. Anyhow, this year, I hope to avoid buying trees that come with root bags. It kind of looks like a felt / fabric that takes the place of a pot or burlap and the trees are stored with the rootballs sub-grade. The fabric is supposed to stop the roots from growing outward. I found that some roots penetrate, and some get embedded. These bags can't stay on like burlap, and I find that removing them shatters the rootball. Simply put - I despise these root bags.

8th May 2007, 09:53 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Rooted bags then! Have you got pics of the specific root bags and perhaps what they do? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

4th July 2010, 04:37 PM	#5
Treemo Former Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brisbane Posts: 44	Re: Root bags for nursery trees I've seen an entire landscaping job, every plant was in the pot, ranging from 100-300mm. Looked great for a month or two, till the mix went hydrophobic and almost everything died. Though, I've seen trained professionals do a lot worse. As for the bags, I'm sure cost must weigh heavily on any decision. For example, a 200mm black plastic pot vs a 200mm bag with the bag costing (hypothetically) 100% more, but only saving a small percent from serious adverse effects of circling/'rootbound-ness'. Ideally, if it wasn't a Mum and Pop retail nursery, and you cared about trees, rather than money, you would be reducing the price of pots as they reached maximum fill, or potting them up before any problems. Or throwing/giving them away when it's too late.

4th July 2010, 05:39 PM	#6
treeshaveneeds Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,399	Re: Root bags for nursery trees Sounds like the Trees in India had to be planted in a rush, no time or person to monitor - just get them in the ground and confirm they were all planted. Buying in bulk is only worthwhile if the planting team is big enough and is on board to plant the trees properly. I have seen plenty of plantings that make it thru the season -- just, and then replanted the next year, because the "winter" was too hard on them.

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