balled-and-burlapped verses container-grown trees which is best?

Answer 1

I disagree with garden dok. I have seen B&B stock sit around all summer and even overwinter, so the argument that it is "fresher" doesn't hold. Whether containerized or bagged, tree roots must be pruned when prepped for sale.

In my experience, bareroot stock that is potted at the nursery does just as well as B&B stock. If something has actually been grown in the container (and I have seen some of those), pop it out of the pot. As long as the roots aren't circling, it should be fine.

Answer 2

MASTER GARDENER TO THE RESCUE

balled-and-burlapped is a fresher planting with a fuller more active root system. container-grown may have been around for a while where the burlapped is meant to be balled only for a short period.

container plants can quickly become root-bound and are subject to more potential problems. if offered a choice, always go with the balled-and-burlapped.