No Problem Brian.. the garden center/nursery that sold you the replacements
should have briefed you on all this.. Best of luck


"Bryan" wrote in message
news:0eMqf.53015$2k.45593@pd7tw1no...
Thank you very much for the tips Anthony. I suspected the burlap would
decompose over time.


"Anthony B" wrote in message
...

"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