In Shorewood, an average of 100 trees are removed each year due to disease, damage or defect. Prior to 2020, these trees were replaced with ball and burlap varieties. With increasing pressure from emerald ash borer and general workload considerations, the Village Board approved a transition to bare root planting in 2020.
Bare Root Trees
The use of bare root planting stock reduces costs and improves efficiencies. Bare root trees are generally smaller than ball and burlap trees, however they can be purchased at approximately one-half to one-third the cost. They can be planted more efficiently (less labor and less equipment) and their (primarily) fall planting time means reduced transplant stress and typically more dependable precipitation, both of which translate to lower failure rates.
Planting Process
Upon the early spring delivery of the bare root nursery stock, trees are placed by staff in a gravel bed located in the public works yard. The trees are held here over the summer while the root structure develops in the irrigated bed. Planting begins in early September.