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Hi - I bought a bare root apple tree this weekend which I've been keeping outside - will it be ok in this weather?

Its roots are in a plastic bag, I'm worried that the roots freeze and kill the tree...?

Can anyone advise?

Thanks
Malcolm

You are probably best heeling the plant in - digging a temporary hole to put it in. Most references suggest putting the trees in at about a 45 degree angle - I don't know if this keeps them more dormant, just makes it easier to spot that you need to plant them on properly or is merely a habit that no-one has ever questioned. The earth serves to insulate the roots and they will be in a very dormant state anyway. You would then get the tree planted properly in early spring as the earth warms up but before it starts to grow.

Wulf

I'd get those roots covered up asap - they don't want to either dry out at all or get frosted. Healing in as Wulf has said is your best bet until you have some suitable weather to plant - and that can be any time during winter as long as it is not really cold and frosty. Winter is the correct time for planting bare root trees.

thanks - I'll try and heel it in asap, tricky though as I'm in Edinburgh and my gardens' been under about a foot of snow for about 2 weeks now...!

In that case hmmmmm! I would suggest putting it in a shed or a garage until the snow thaws, and first giving it a dunk in a bucket of water in case the roots are at all dry, then wrapping it in damp towels or something similar to keep them damp (but not sopping wet). The shelter should keep it frost free and I don't think dark will really matter for a shortish time as it should be pretty dormant by now. I wouldn't personally shift snow to try to heel it in!

This is the problem with buying bare rooted trees in winter!

There's often a prob with storing bareroot stuff ,landscapers will take delivery of a lorry load,then the freeze comes and you cant heel it in let alone plant it.Do what MMM suggests,put inside a shed barn whatever,lean against wall,not flat on the ground,wet roots cover with damp straw,or multi purpose(you can always reuse in spring) then cover with sacking,old carpet or similar.Will keep till late feb. Best wishes.

thanks I'll stick it in a big pot in the shed with a bit of compost and wait for the snow to retreat

Top stuff,don't forget to cover pot with sack,carpet whatever,if your shed aint frostfree. Best wishes.