Understanding Bare Root Trees in Their First Year

Sam Menne
2026-01-21T11:00:02-05:00

Planting bare root trees correctly sets the foundation for years of growth. This guide walks through thoughtful site planning, understanding chill hours and nutrient needs, and what healthy establishment looks like in the first year. It’s designed to help growers feel confident, patient, and informed as their trees settle in and build strength for the seasons ahead.

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Bare root trees invite us to think a little differently about growth. These young trees and shrubs might look sparse at first, but that’s not a flaw, it’s part of what makes them such strong, resilient trees long-term.

This guide is about choosing well, setting your trees up for success, realistic expectations for the first year, and understanding what your tree is doing beneath the soil while you’re waiting for visible top growth.

Plan Your Dream Orchard for Success

Bare roots are an affordable way you can have your dream orchard. The key is planning it with the site in mind.

Before choosing varieties, take time to observe and understand your growing space:

Sun exposure throughout the season

Soil moisture and drainage

Airflow and disease pressure

Available space at maturity

Research what your individual species REALLY wants

If you’re unsure about light or moisture levels, simple tools like a basic moisture, light, and pH meter can help remove some guesswork. They’re inexpensive and especially helpful when learning a new site.

Chill Hours and Why They Matter

Chill hours refer to the number of hours a tree experiences between roughly 32–45°F during winter dormancy. Many fruit trees need a specific amount of cold exposure to properly set buds and fruit in spring.

Too few chill hours can lead to:

Delayed or uneven leafing out

Poor flowering

Reduced or inconsistent fruit set

Matching a tree’s chill hour requirement to your climate is one of the most important steps in long-term success. When a tree’s needs align with your region, it’s healthier, more productive, and fruits more dependably and robustly.

Planning thoughtfully at this stage saves years of disappointment later.

Common Early Bare Root Missteps

Most bare root issues come from care, not neglect.

Some of the most common things we see in the first year include:

Overwatering when roots are still establishing, don't allow the soil to become waterlogged

Fertilizing too deeply, especially with high-nitrogen products

Impatience, expecting fast top growth

Improper staking, which can prevent natural strengthening

Fertilizing in the First Year

Bare root trees benefit from gentle, balanced support rather than heavy feeding. Too much nitrogen encourages leaf growth before roots are ready to support it, which can stress the tree and slow establishment.

Our Tree Planting Kit offers gentle, long-term support without pushing excess top growth. Each kit includes a thoughtfully balanced blend of 5-4-3 organic fertilizer, worm castings, Azomite minerals, and endomycorrhizal fungi, with the recommended amount for planting one tree.

To use, mix the entire kit with 50% native soil from the planting hole and 50% compost or organic material, blend well, plant the tree, and finish with a generous layer of mulch, leaving a small ring around the tree trunk for it to breathe.

This recipe was shared with us by Grep Peterson of The Urban Farm, based on his guide for planting fruit trees for long-term success.

Slow, steady inputs help the tree build a foundation instead of forcing visible growth too early. This is where long-term tree health begins.

What Your Bare Root Tree Is Doing Underground

If your tree looks quiet above ground, it’s likely very busy below the surface.

In the first year, a bare root tree is focused on:

Recovering from transplant shock

Rebuilding fine feeder roots

Expanding its root system into surrounding soil

Replenishing carbohydrate reserves

Fine root growth is what allows the tree to take up water and nutrients efficiently in future seasons. This underground work sets the stage for everything that comes later.

A slow-looking first year is expected for most species.

Why Top Growth May Be Modest at First

It’s common for bare root trees to have:

Thin branches

Sparse or slow leafing

Awkward or minimal top growth

This can feel concerning, but it’s usually a sign of healthy prioritization.

We often recommend intentional pruning in the first year or two, which reduces top growth and redirects energy into root development and structure. This approach leads to stronger branching, better balance, and healthier trees long-term.

You can read more about this approach in our pruning guide here. Although this blog is written for fall pruning, its strategy and advice applies year-round.

Strong roots support strong growth. Not the other way around.

A Long-Term Perspective

There’s a saying many gardeners know well:

The first year they sleep.
The second year they creep.
The third year they leap.

By year four, you should have a happy, well-established tree that’s ready to truly perform.

Bare root trees reward patience. When chosen thoughtfully and supported mindfully, they often outperform larger, more “impressive” trees in the long run.

A Thoughtful Start Goes a Long Way

At The Farm Connection, we select bare root trees with long-term success in mind, focusing on varieties and rootstocks that perform well. If you’re unsure about site conditions, variety selection, or what support looks like in the first year, we’re always happy to help talk it through.

When you plan with the land in mind, your new tree has everything it needs to become what you’re dreaming of.