Burlap wrapping is a common horticultural technique used to protect vulnerable trees from environmental damage and to prepare them for successful transplanting. This practice involves using coarse, woven jute fabric to create a barrier, either around the trunk for winter survival or around the root ball for transport. Properly applied, burlap can significantly increase a tree’s chances of establishing itself in a new location or surviving harsh winter conditions. The method applied depends entirely on whether the goal is long-term protection or short-term transport.
Timing and Necessary Materials
The correct timing for wrapping a tree trunk for winter protection is in the late fall, specifically after the tree has entered full dormancy following a hard frost. Waiting until this point avoids trapping heat and moisture, which could encourage late-season growth or promote fungal issues beneath the wrapping. Conversely, wrapping should be done before the onset of consistently freezing temperatures or heavy snow.
The essential supplies for both trunk and root ball wrapping are simple and focus on natural, breathable materials. The primary item is burlap fabric, made from jute or hemp, which allows for necessary air and moisture exchange. Natural fiber twine or rope, such as jute or sisal, is needed to secure the fabric, while scissors or a utility knife are used for precise cutting. For winter protection, optional materials include hardware cloth as an inner layer to deter rodents, and wooden stakes to support the wrap around smaller trees.
Step-by-Step: Wrapping the Trunk for Winter Protection
Wrapping the trunk shields thin-barked, young, or newly planted trees from sunscald, a winter injury caused by rapid temperature fluctuations. The process begins at the base of the tree, starting just above the soil line.
Using a continuous strip of burlap, wrap the material around the trunk on a slight upward angle. Each subsequent layer must overlap the layer below it by at least one-third to ensure complete coverage. The wrap should extend upward until it reaches the lowest branches, covering the entire area of vulnerable bark. This spiral application creates an insulating layer that moderates the temperature of the bark.
To secure the material, natural twine must be tied around the outside of the burlap, spiraling up the trunk or secured with ties at the top, middle, and bottom. Avoid using plastic tape, wire, or non-biodegradable synthetic twine, as these can girdle the trunk as the tree expands. The wrap should be snug enough to stay in place against wind but loose enough to allow air circulation.
Step-by-Step: Securing the Root Ball for Transport
Securing a freshly dug root ball, known as balling and burlapping (B&B), keeps the soil mass intact during handling and transport. The root ball is carefully centered on a large square of burlap laid flat on the ground. The fabric perimeter must be large enough to fully envelop the soil mass.
Draw up the four corners of the burlap around the root ball and fold the edges over the top to create a tight package. Twine or rope is then used to securely “lace” the fabric around the soil, starting from the trunk and working outward in a crisscross pattern to pull the material taut. This lacing must be tight enough to prevent any movement of the soil mass, which would shear or break the fine feeder roots inside. Keeping the root ball moist, but not saturated, throughout the process is important for maintaining root health.
When and How to Remove Burlap
The burlap wrap around a tree trunk must be removed promptly in early spring, typically around March or April, before the tree breaks dormancy and new buds begin to swell. Leaving the wrap on too long traps moisture and heat, which can lead to mold, mildew, or insect infestations. An old wrap left in place may also constrict the trunk as the tree grows, causing girdling damage.
For trees transplanted with a balled and burlapped root ball, removal occurs at the time of planting. While the tree is stable in the planting hole, all twine, wire, and any synthetic burlap must be completely cut away from the top and sides of the ball. Even natural burlap should be cut away from the top two-thirds of the root ball, as leaving it on can wick moisture away or slow root establishment. The burlap remaining under the ball is generally left in place to avoid destabilizing the soil mass, as it will decompose naturally over time.