It's the thought of the clock going back an hour, rather than the act itself, that is the source of my mild anxiety. I quickly become accustomed to the time change yet in the weeks before Summer Time ends, I feel dispirited. Often I wish we humans could do what deciduous plants do and shut down for the duration of the winter.
In the manner that some animals hibernate, many perennial plants effectively sleep during colder months of the year, recharging their batteries and emerging re-energised in the spring when conditions are more favourable. During this dormant period, plants are able to withstand being moved, a process that would likely kill most if carried out when in full leaf. Their roots still need to be protected and kept moist but they effectively play dead over winter.
It's during this time that trees are planted 'bare root'. Generally specimen trees like acers, ornamental fruit trees and twisted hazels are sold all year round in pots. However, typical Irish hedge and woodland plants like oak, hawthorn, blackthorn, alder, birch and ash, tend to be sold bare root between November and March. The young trees (usually around 3ft) will be stored in their hundreds at the nursery, their roots resting in soft, sandy soil from which they are easily removed.
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In this state they are perfect for buying in bulk, the absence of a pot and growing medium meaning they are considerably cheaper than their containerised counterparts. A small copse or woodland can be created for less than the price of meal-for-two. Bare root trees also tend to take much quicker than a pot-grown tree.
Planting trees in your garden has many advantages. It's good for your wellbeing, good for wildlife and even helps improve air quality. At this time of year you may curse the amount of leaves that need to be swept up from around your home but overall the contribution made by the trees in terms of atmosphere, aesthetics and boosting biodiversity far outweighs any downsides.
When you buy your bare root trees at the garden centre or specialist nursery, it's important to get them home quickly to avoid the roots drying out. They’ll most likely be sold to you in a bin liner, though this will only protect them in the very short-term. Ideally, have a trench dug where you can ‘heal-in’ the young trees then plant them at your leisure any time between now and March.
Be warned that, if you’re thinking about buying bare root trees, do it sooner rather than later, as there’s finite stock and thankfully tree-planting is proving increasingly popular.
Soak the roots of the tree in a bucket of water before planting and plant them on cleared ground where there's a lack competition from weeds.
Plant the tree so it sits atop a small hill of soil with the point where the roots join the trunk even with the surface. Firm it in well and if it stands more than three feet high, attach a stake to prevent damage from wind rock. Keep the sapling well watered for the first few months and until it gets established add some mulch to fertilise and help suppress weeds.
