I received some bare root trees and shrubs as a gift and would like to know how to plant and care for them. — Jerry Rosen, Skokie. That sounds like a great gift, just ahead of the growing season.

The most significant downsides to bare-root trees are their limited window of availability, and short planting time frame.

You actually want to soak your bare root tree for three hours to maximum 24 hours before planting, just getting this tree nice and hydrated before it goes in the ground.

Bare root trees are usually available from December through February or March, but before purchasing a tree it’s a good idea to select an appropriate planting site and properly prepare it.

A bare root tree can be a canopy tree or an understory tree. Some readily available and easy-to-care-for native bare root tree species include white oak, bald cypress, longleaf pine, red buckeye ...

For assistance with choosing which native trees and shrubs to plant and/or bare root planting instructions, contact Chautauqua Watershed Conservationist Carol Markham at 716-664-2166 ext. 2005 or ...

Dr. Robyn Puffenbarger explains the advantages of planting bare root tree whips from the Virginia Department of Forestry and why it is important for young trees to establish strong root systems ...