How long to leave bare rooted saplings out of the ground

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by hailbopp, Sep 26, 2021.

  1. hailbopp

    hailbopp Gardener

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    Maybe a slightly odd question but maybe someone can guide me hopefully. I have a mini forest of self seeded Norway Spruce. I am needing to clear them from where they currently are and a friend is going to take them to replant around the edge of their grounds. There are approximately 200 trees varying in size between about 6 ins! to 7ft
    This job is going to take a fair while but the trees come out quite well as they are growing in sand. How long do you think I can have them out of the ground in a bare rooted state before the roots dry out too much so they will not survive? I have some already out and have sprayed them with water once since being lifted.
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Blimey I'd let them grow and flog them as Christmas trees in a few years time. :biggrin:

      When I was on the farm ;), I was always surprised how long they allowed the new bare root trees to hang around, they were bundled up and left in the barn with the occasional spraying for nearly a week some times.
      But this was always mid winter with dormant trees,I think your conifers, at this time of the year might be a bit different.

      Think I would want to get them replanted ASAP to get a better survival rate.
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        You could wrap the roots in damp hessian or even rags of some kind.
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Maybe heel them in a trench of sand as you go and keep it well watered.
         
      • hailbopp

        hailbopp Gardener

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        Thanks I will keep them as damp as possible. I do have a large tarpaulin so could stick them under it plus spray every now and again. Ideally your suggestion sounds right JWK, snag is the roots are quite extensive and it would need a hell of a long trench( oh my aching arms!) to take the numbers I have. I will take the first batch over to my friends on Tuesday and hopefully they will get replanted by Wednesday. Ideally if only it would rain. OMG I never thought I would hear myself say that:). Would anybody like an early Christmas tree?
         
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        • hailbopp

          hailbopp Gardener

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          My big fat mouth. No worries with the roots of the wee trees drying out, it is now tipping it out of the heavens for the first time in weeks. I knew I shouldn't have wished for rain:doh:
           
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          • hailbopp

            hailbopp Gardener

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            I put an advert on Facebook Marketplace asking for a few pounds for the trees. Happy days sold 20 of the biggest today at £5 each, giving the money to a charity I support.:). only got to find homes for another 180 odd!
             
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