Heeling In Bare Root Tree Seedlings

Spring is a busy time for everyone, and sometimes weather or other delays prevent you from planting your bare root seedlings right away. If you need to delay planting for more than a few days, the best way to keep your seedlings healthy is by "heeling them in."

Heeling in is a simple, temporary method of storing bare root seedlings by placing them in the ground to keep their roots moist and protected until you're ready to plant them in their permanent location. This prevents the roots from drying out and reduces transplant stress.

1. Choose a Shady Location

Select a well-drained, shady plot of ground for temporary storage. Avoid direct sun and overly wet spots. A gentle slope is fine as long as there isn't excessive runoff from above.

2. Remove Vegetation

Remove any existing vegetation on the site that will compete for resources with your tree seedlings.

3. Dig a Hole or Trench

Use a shovel to create a shallow hole, or trench if you need more space, and keep the adjacent soil loose. The depth should be enough to cover the roots while keeping the stems above ground.

4. Place the Seedlings

Gently spread the roots in the hole or trench and lean the seedlings at an angle. This allows the roots to be fully covered while keeping the stems upright and makes it easier to store multiple seedlings together.

5. Cover and Firm the Soil

Scoop soil back over the roots and gently firm it down to eliminate air pockets. The root collar (where the roots meet the stem) should be level with the top of the soil.

6. Water Regularly

Water the seedlings immediately after heeling them in, and continue to check moisture levels. If the weather is dry, water as needed to keep the roots from drying out.

7. Plant as Soon as Possible

Try to move your seedlings to their permanent locations as soon as possible, ideally within a few weeks. The longer they stay heeled in, the greater the chance of stress or root damage.