"Bryan" wrote in message
news:FOJqf.171186$Gd6.58709@pd7tw3no...
Can anybody offer any tip's for planting replacement cedar shrubs. I am in
the Pacific Northwest so the weather is fine.

The root ball is enclosed in burlap, should this be removed or just cut
open on a couple sides to allow the roots to grow through.

Thanks


Bryan... No big difficulty when replacing shrubs.

Do Not remove the burlap

Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the root ball and about 6 inches or
so deeper than the rootball is thick.

Take half the soil you removed and mix in about the same amount of good
landscape mix. compost or similar material.

Put some of this mix into bottom of hole then set shrub in hole. DO NOT
remove the burlap. Top of rootball should be even with ground. If it is
not, remove shrub and add more mix. repeat till rootball IS level with
ground level.

Now you can start backfilling in around the rootball with soil mix.
Backfill about half way then water it down well. This will help remove air
pockets AND ensures a thorough first watering.

Untie the burlap and ropes/twine around trunk of shrub and roll burlap down
to below ground level. This will help prevent the trunk from being girded
and prevent any 'wicking' of moisture from around the rootball.

Finish backfilling hole and watering it down. take remaning left over soil
and use it to form a dike around the tree along the edge of the hole. This
dike will ensure that all the water you later apply to shrub/tree will go
directly into the rootzone. Water one more time.

Now.. a few tips:
If your tree or shrub comes with rootball in a steel cage, you can fold the
top of the cage back along with the burlap if you desire, but removing or
cutting the cage is not mandatory. the cage will rust away long before any
of the roots get large enough for the cage to be a problem.

I highly recommend using a liquid root stimulator mixture. you can find
this at any of your better nurseries and garden centers. Use according to
directions.

Since you are in the pacific NW , then I do not think lack of water is
going to be an issue during the winter, but come spring or summer, you will
have to water at LEAST every two weeks in damp weather and weekly ( more if
needed) when it gets hot and dry. Water slow and deep. remeber , that
rootball needs to get wet all the way down. Hitting it a couple passes with
a water wand or hose will not be enough.


This guide works with any and all trees and shrubs


Anthony B.
Ky. Nursery & Landscape Association
Certified Nurseryman