If you’re shopping for fruit trees, nut trees, or berry plants online, you’ve probably seen the term “bare root” used to describe how the plants are shipped. At Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC, the majority of our trees and plants are shipped bare root for a reason—and it’s not just a matter of convenience. Shipping bare root trees provides a long list of benefits to both the plant and the customer.
This comprehensive guide explains exactly what bare root shipping is, why it’s a superior method, and how it ultimately helps you grow stronger, healthier trees at a lower cost. Whether you’re planting an orchard or a backyard garden, understanding the bare root advantage will help you plant with confidence.
🌳 What Does “Bare Root” Mean?
Bare root trees are exactly what they sound like: trees that are shipped without soil surrounding their roots. Instead of being potted in heavy containers with wet soil, bare root plants are dug from the ground during dormancy (usually in late fall to early spring), their roots are cleaned and trimmed, and they are carefully wrapped in moisture-retaining packing material for shipment.
Unlike container-grown trees, bare root plants are lighter, easier to ship, and less likely to suffer from transplant shock if planted correctly.
📦 How Are Bare Root Trees Shipped?
At Ty Ty Nursery, we take great care in preparing your trees for their journey:
- Roots are misted and packed in a moisture-retaining medium like damp paper, coconut coir, or peat moss.
- The trees are then placed in breathable plastic or kraft paper to maintain humidity during transit.
- Everything is packed in a sturdy, climate-conscious box designed to protect your tree until it reaches your doorstep.
This method allows the tree to stay dormant and preserved without excess weight or bulk.
🌱 The Top 10 Benefits of Bare Root Shipping
Let’s break down why bare root trees are not only viable but actually preferable in most planting scenarios.
1. Better Root Development
Bare root trees grow with natural, unrestricted roots. Container-grown trees can become root-bound, where roots circle around the pot, leading to poor growth or girdling.
When planted, bare root trees can expand their root systems immediately into native soil.
2. Stronger Tree Establishment
Because they’re planted directly into your soil without being disturbed from a pot, bare root trees adapt more quickly and establish faster.
3. Lower Cost = Better Value
Bare root trees are significantly cheaper to produce and ship than their potted counterparts. This means we can offer them to you at a lower price without sacrificing quality.
Less weight = lower shipping costs. That’s savings in your pocket!
4. Eco-Friendly Shipping
No plastic pots. No heavy bags of wet soil. Just a biodegradable package and a healthy plant. Bare root shipping reduces your carbon footprint and helps cut down on plastic waste.
5. Lighter & Easier to Handle
Forget lugging around heavy containers. Bare root trees are lightweight and easier to transport, unpack, and plant—even for first-time gardeners.
6. Wider Selection Available Seasonally
Because bare root plants are shipped during dormancy, we can offer a broader range of varieties in the late fall through early spring. This is the ideal time to plant in most regions.
7. Healthier Trees at Delivery
Bare root trees have less chance of root rot, pests, or soil-borne diseases compared to container trees that sit in wet soil for long periods.
We ship only during dormancy, which protects the tree and promotes transplant success.
8. Reduced Transplant Shock
Container plants often suffer shock from being moved out of pots. Bare root trees go from packaging straight into your soil—no transition stress.
9. Better Long-Term Growth
Studies show bare root trees planted correctly often outperform container-grown trees after a year or two, producing stronger roots and more resilient trunks.
10. Perfect Timing for Planting
Shipping during dormancy allows you to plant during the best window of time for root development. Bare root trees wake up in your soil, not in a pot.
🛠️ How to Plant Bare Root Trees for Success
Here’s how to give your bare root tree the best start:
- Soak the roots in water for 1–2 hours before planting.
- Dig a wide hole and mix in Soil Moist Transplant Crystals to hold moisture.
- Build a small mound in the center and spread roots over it naturally.
- Refill the hole, keeping the graft line just above soil level.
- Water thoroughly and mulch around the base (but not against the trunk).
Bare root trees require frequent watering during the first 8–12 weeks, especially in dry conditions.
🚨 What About the “Shock Factor”?
Customers occasionally worry that a bare root tree looks like a stick with no leaves. That’s normal! Your tree is dormant, not dead. As long as the roots are hydrated and you follow correct planting steps, it will leaf out beautifully in spring.
If you’re unsure, perform a simple scratch test on the bark. Green beneath the surface means your tree is alive and ready to grow.
🌎 Why Ty Ty Plant Nursery Chooses Bare Root
At Ty Ty Nursery, we ship bare root trees because we believe it’s the healthiest, most efficient, and most economical way to deliver strong, viable trees to your home.
We proudly offer:
- 🌱 Non-GMO trees suited for all U.S. climates
- 💰 The best prices thanks to lightweight, efficient shipping
- 🚛 Fast shipping across the country to match planting windows
- 🛡️ Free 1-Year Plantsurance Policy: Store credit if your tree doesn’t survive
Your success is our priority, and bare root shipping gives your tree the best possible start.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Bare Root = Better for You
Bare root trees aren’t just a shipping strategy. They’re a smarter way to plant. They cost less, grow faster, and adapt more successfully. With the right prep and care, a bare root tree will reward you with decades of beauty, shade, fruit, or nuts.
So next time you see one of our trees shipping bare root, know that it means:
- Less weight for your wallet
- Less plastic for the planet
- More growth for your garden
Ready to plant with confidence? Shop our full selection of bare root trees now at Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC and take the first step toward a thriving, fruitful future.
#BareRootTrees #FruitTreeCare #TyTyPlantNursery #EcoFriendlyGardening #TreePlantingTips #BackyardOrchard #GrowYourOwn #OrganicGardening


Leave a reply to Philip Ballmann Cancel reply