"Kurt Gavin" wrote:

Should burlap be removed from root balls when planting?

I depends upon the burlap.

Some large nurseries that ship long distances use treated burlap. This
must be removed because the treatment keeps it from rotting.

If you buy directly from the grower, ask about the burlap. Most local
growers use a raw burlap that rots quickly and is easily penetrated
before it rots. Remember that tree roots will break open rocks so
burlap is no problem. When leaving burlap in the ground care must be
taken that:

1: the burlap should pushed down the bottom the hole so that it never
comes in contact with the air. Otherwise it will wick moisture out of
the ground.

2: cut slits in the part of the burlap you can see, but don't disturb
the roots. The reason for the burlap is to keep from disturbing the
roots. Removing the burlap usually disturbs the root ball.

The state university's tree planting web page says yes. However, I've read
that if the root ball comes apart, that's bad. On the other hand, I've
seen diagrams of how to split root balls or cut the sides to get the roots
freed up from the root balls mass to promote growth.

It depends upon which state you are talking about:

Arkansas: You dont need to remove the burlap, since its biodegradable.
http://www.uaex.edu/news/april2006/0407tree.htm

Colorado: Roll the burlap down to the base of the plant if possible,
slash it with a knife, or remove it from at least the top third of the
root ball.
http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA...://www.coopext
..colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/fall_planting.html

Georgia: Before planting balled-and-burlapped plants, cut any wire or
cord from around the trunk and pull back the burlap from the top third
of the root ball. This will allow newly formed feeder roots to grow into
the new environment. When planting on poorly drained soils, remove the
burlap completely.
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B932-w.htm

Indiana: Roll back the burlap to below the soil surface.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-100.pdf

Minnesota: Cut and remove the twine from around the trunk. Next, with
wire cutters and scissors, remove as much of the wire basket and burlap
containing the soil ball as possible without allowing the soil ball to
fall apart. Water slowly to saturate the soil ball and to remove air
pockets in the backfill. Finish filling the hole with soil. No burlap
should remain above the soil surface as it may act as a wick and dry the
root ball.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib...re/DG3825.html

Montana: set the tree in the hole and remove the ties that hold the
burlap to the root crown (at the top of the ball, where the roots join
the trunk). Remove the materials if it's plastic or synthetic. Natural
burlap does not have to be completely removed. After removing the ties,
tuck the burlap back against the sides of the ball so that no burlap is
exposed to the air after the hole is backfilled. Inspect the root ball,
taking care not to damage the roots, and gently untangle any circling
roots.
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=3736

New Hampshi Remove rope and burlap entirely if root ball is intact.
If root ball is loose, cut away only half of burlap. If root ball is in
a wire basket, cut away and remove entire basket.
http://extension.unh.edu/Pubs/HGPubs/stepspts.pdf

North Carolina: fold back the burlap, and remove the nylon strings. Be
sure to remove plastic liners or synthetic burlap-type materials.
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/ext.../wqwm/ag508_4/

North Dakota: To plant, leave the burlap around the roots, but untie
the twine.
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/ask...eeshr/1412.htm

Ohio State: Slowly lower the root ball into the planting hole to prevent
breaking or cracking of the soil around the roots of B & B plants. After
placing in the hole, the burlap of B & B plants should be loosened and
rolled down the sides of the soil ball. No burlap should be exposed
above the soil surface in order to prevent wicking and drying which
interferes with proper moisture flow between the soil ball and the
backfill. Cut and remove all twine, cords, wire, or strapping material,
especially around the trunk or stems. Also, remove all labels attached
with wire or nylon twine that can eventually girdle stem tissue.
http://www.google.com/search?client=...%22balled+a n
d+burlapped%22+extension&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Oregon: Cut and remove all twine around the trunk. Pull or cut the
burlap away from the trunk and top of the ball as far down as possible.
Sometimes the root ball is wrapped with non-degradable fabric; be sure
to cut away this fabric.
http://eesc.oregonstate.edu/agcomweb...38/ec1438.html

Utah: if the root ball ... is strong and firm all packing materials
should be removed, including ... burlap. If the root ball is broken and
loose, remove these materials carefully and only to the extent that you
can keep the root ball together. Backfilling as you remove these
materials may help keep the root ball intact. Any burlap ... that must
be left on should be slit in several places to allow roots to grow
through. It is less important but still desirable to remove packing
materials left underneath the root ball. Cleanly cut any circling or
damaged roots that are exposed at this point to promote good root growth.
http://extension.usu.edu/forestry/Ho...gLandscapeTree
s.htm

Vermont: to ensure root growth and access to nutrients and water, pull
the burlap down off the root ball and leave it in the bottom of the
hole. Do not attempt to pull the burlap from under the plant - this
could damage the root ball.
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohor...1/426-701.html

Washington State:
1) Remove all wire baskets, twine, and burlap from the root ball.
Working on top of a
tarp will allow you to transport the root ball remnants elsewhere.
2) Remove all clay from the root ball. This can be done most easily by
using a water
bath or a hose. Use your fingers to work out clumps of clay from between
the roots.
3) Look for and prune out defects in your freshly denuded roots. Be sure
to keep the
roots moist during this procedure and work in the shade if possible.
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%2...tural%20Myths_
files/Myths/B&B%20root%20ball.pdf

West Virginia: It is not necessary to remove the burlap as it will rot
in a short time. Only loosen it from around the trunk and lay back or
cut it off.
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult...u/planting.htm

Wisconsin: Do not remove burlap from B&B plants, but be sure to take
off rope or twine tied around the stem.
http://s142412519.onlinehome.us/uw/pdfs/A1730.PDF

Is there any consensus on this?

Yes, but not unanimous. The consensus is to remove all twine but leave
the burlap in the bottom of the hole.
--
Pardon my spam deterrent; send email to
Visit my Rhododendron and Azalea web pages at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhody.html
Also visit the Rhododendron and Azalea Bookstore at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhodybooks.html
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA Zone 6