Question
Hello,

I recently helped out in planting (4) Chanticleer Callery Pear trees in a nearby cemetery and am not sure we did it right.  Specifically, the trees came from the nursery with the tree bulbs wrapped in a burlap sack and secured in place with a wire harness.  We did NOT take off the wire harness or the burlap sack when we planted the trees.  I questioned this, but the other people said they were told it didn't matter.  What do you think?  Did we just kill the trees or will they be okay?

Answer
It does matter. The wire and the burlap can cause the trees roots to not grow out into the adjacent soil and as the tree grows it will not have enough root system to 1. be able to supply the foliage with water and nutrients and 2. will not be able to give the tree enough support and if it does get large wind could blow it over. The effects of improper planting will show up 3-5 years after the planting or sooner if there is a drought. IF the soil was heavy clay the roots will not grow out and the foliage will die back sooner. IF they were just planted I would replant them.

The proper way to plant a tree is to dig a hole twice the size (width) of the root ball and as deep and remove the wire and burlap and set the tree in the hole so the top of the root ball is even with the ground level. Fill the hole with good top soil or potting soil and mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk.