Bare root trees already leafed out

[Gravel Road]

Well, my pear tree package from The Wildlife Group came today. Unfortunately they are already leafed out. It is pretty cold here still and some of the leaves look pretty bad. Lows are supposed to be in upper 20's to lower 30's through the weekend, then warm up nicely. I'm thinking of heeling them into a bag of potting soil and keeping them in my 40 degree shop until after the cold spell. I'm a little hesitant to leave them in the box as the roots seem a little dry. They had a puncture in the bag so some moisture might have escaped. I put a tiny bit of water in and sealed them back up.

Does this sound reasonable, or should I go ahead and plant them?

 

[Mennoniteman]

Sounds like they got shipped early for your area. I think that's a good idea, keep them moist for sure. Since they have leaves already they should have a little daylight each day but not full sun IMO. The potting soil sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't put them out in the weather that they are calling for.

 

[g squared 23]

Can’t find a link, but I went through the same thing last year. Leaves looked bad, and we had a cold spell coming, but I decided to put them in the ground. They all grew pretty weakly last year with the best 2-3 (out of 6) just getting above my 5’ cages (my 3/4 apples from TC did better). Will be interesting to see how well they do this year. Good luck to you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

Just put 16 Wildlife Group pears and apples in the ground over the past few days. The apples were still dormant but the pears had leaves already. It’s nice now but will be in the mid to upper 20’s the next 5 nights. Guess we’ll see.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gravel Road]

Just put 16 Wildlife Group pears and apples in the ground over the past few days. The apples were still dormant but the pears had leaves already. It’s nice now but will be in the mid to upper 20’s the next 5 nights. Guess we’ll see.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Guess we'll be guinea pigs together I think they'll be okay but those trees are expensive! I'm going to keep them inside through the weekend, or I might call the wildlife group tomorrow and see what they recommend.

 

[Gravel Road]

Can’t find a link, but I went through the same thing last year. Leaves looked bad, and we had a cold spell coming, but I decided to put them in the ground. They all grew pretty weakly last year with the best 2-3 (out of 6) just getting above my 5’ cages (my 3/4 apples from TC did better). Will be interesting to see how well they do this year. Good luck to you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's good to hear. Thanks for the encouraging words!

 

[weekender21]

Guess we'll be guinea pigs together I think they'll be okay but those trees are expensive! I'm going to keep them inside through the weekend, or I might call the wildlife group tomorrow and see what they recommend.

Let me know what Allen says. I emailed him but haven’t heard back. Planting them was my only option though, headed home to Hawaii tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mennoniteman]

Guess we'll be guinea pigs together I think they'll be okay but those trees are expensive! I'm going to keep them inside through the weekend, or I might call the wildlife group tomorrow and see what they recommend.

You're right, trees are expensive. I'm always looking for sources for cheaper trees to plant for wildlife. A local orchard sells grafted apple and pear trees of the popular varieties for $15 each. Our county conservation district has 1 yr old persimmon seedlings for $1.75 each, which seems like a good deal. Check for local places like this for trees and you might save some $ on shipping.

 

[g squared 23]

I think they’ll make it as the majority of their pears are rated for your (and my) zone, they just might not explode with growth the first year. Long term is what matters though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gravel Road]

Let me know what Allen says. I emailed him but haven’t heard back. Planting them was my only option though, headed home to Hawaii tomorrow.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry, but ran out of time and didn't get a change to call the wildlife group. Bought a bag of potting soil and put them in that for the weekend.

 

[Gravel Road]

You're right, trees are expensive. I'm always looking for sources for cheaper trees to plant for wildlife. A local orchard sells grafted apple and pear trees of the popular varieties for $15 each. Our county conservation district has 1 yr old persimmon seedlings for $1.75 each, which seems like a good deal. Check for local places like this for trees and you might save some $ on shipping.

Funny you mention local nurseries. I was out on a business trip today and planned to stop by The 39th Parallel Nursery in Lawrence, Ks to see their operation, but they were closed today. They have some pretty darn good prices for apples ($13) and pears but the persimmons are $24. They must be pretty good because the persimmons sold out several months ago. Oh well, there's always next year.
I tried small persimmon from the Missouri MDC 3 years ago and wasn't very impressed with the root structure on them. Most are still the same size as when planted, but a few are maybe up to 3 ft.
I'm thinking of trying the persimmon from Mossy Oak nursery next year. They are more expensive, but sound like they have good roots.
The 12 dolgo crab apples ordered from Chief River did great last year. 100% success and grew like weeds, so ordered some ROD and Nanking cherry from them this year!
Cold Stream Farm has some awesome prices. Can't wait to try them.

 

[Native Hunter]

I had this happen last year. I planted the trees. The leaves died and the trees grew new leaves. They look healthy this year but I do believe it set them back a little. But I expect them to do well in three long run.

 

[weekender21]

I had this happen last year. I planted the trees. The leaves died and the trees grew new leaves. They look healthy this year but I do believe it set them back a little. But I expect them to do well in three long run.

That’s good news. All six apples I planted had no leaves but all ten pears did. A few even had flowers. It will be 20F Monday night. I’m guessing they’ll have new growth when I see them in May.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TreeDaddy]

Funny you mention local nurseries. I was out on a business trip today and planned to stop by The 39th Parallel Nursery in Lawrence, Ks to see their operation, but they were closed today. They have some pretty darn good prices for apples ($13) and pears but the persimmons are $24. They must be pretty good because the persimmons sold out several months ago. Oh well, there's always next year.
I tried small persimmon from the Missouri MDC 3 years ago and wasn't very impressed with the root structure on them. Most are still the same size as when planted, but a few are maybe up to 3 ft.
I'm thinking of trying the persimmon from Mossy Oak nursery next year. They are more expensive, but sound like they have good roots.
The 12 dolgo crab apples ordered from Chief River did great last year. 100% success and grew like weeds, so ordered some ROD and Nanking cherry from them this year!
Cold Stream Farm has some awesome prices. Can't wait to try them.

I have gotten good products and service from your Kansas State Forest Service

They still have several selections that are "sold out" at MDC

bill

 

[TreeDaddy]

Just put 16 Wildlife Group pears and apples in the ground over the past few days. The apples were still dormant but the pears had leaves already. It’s nice now but will be in the mid to upper 20’s the next 5 nights. Guess we’ll see.

That photo catches my eye because of the "J" root

All my pears from the Wildlife group looked like that this year

Any significance ?

bill



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[coolbrze0]

I'm late to the party but I'd heel them in for a few days if the temps look better w/in a week. If not, get 'em in the ground.

 

[Gravel Road]

I'm late to the party but I'd heel them in for a few days if the temps look better w/in a week. If not, get 'em in the ground.

Planting them tomorrow (Monday) night. 10 day forecast shows nothing lower than mid 30's and some rain on Tuesday, so should work out great. Two trees leaves wilted pretty good, but the other three look fine.

 

[dogdoc]

As long as the roots stayed moist they will do fine! I think this gets brought up almost every year.
Enjoy planting
Todd