How to Plant a Bare-Root Fruit Tree in 6 Steps

2026-10-16 · Andrew Barella

1. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for 2-4 hours.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the roots but no deeper.
3. Mound soil in the center and spread the roots over it.
4. Set the graft union 2-3 inches above the soil line.
5. Backfill with native soil and water deeply. Don't add fertilizer in the hole.
6. Mulch a 3 ft ring, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Every tree comes with our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Shop fruit trees →