Winter Planting Strategy: Why Bare Root Stock Works for Commercial Landscapes
Cost-effective and efficient. Here's a closer look at bare root planting as a valuable solution for councils, landscapers, nurseries and brokers this planting season.
When planning winter planting programs, timing and stock selection are critical. For commercial landscapes, amenity projects, or council programs, bare root stock offers practical, economic, and seasonal advantages that are well worth considering.
In Victoria and beyond, planting this way is a crucial component of an efficient winter supply strategy, particularly when lead times, large volumes, and tight planting windows are significant factors.
Cost-effective, Scalable, Reliable
Bare root stock remains one of the most cost-effective ways to establish large numbers of trees. Without the weight, volume, and cost of potting media, freight is streamlined, and storage becomes easier.
For projects involving hundreds of trees, this can significantly reduce both logistical costs and onsite handling.
Another value-add is the flexibility and scalability of bare root ordering. Unlike advanced stock, which can require contract growing or longer lead times, bare root trees are lifted and dispatched in season, ready to go when your planting team is. For time-sensitive winter planting programs, this reliability is critical.
Performance in the Ground
When planted correctly, bare root trees have excellent survival and establishment rates.
Without the root constraints that can occur in container-grown stock, bare root trees often adapt better to soil conditions, forming healthier root systems over time.
Once dormant trees are planted, winter rains and cool soil temperatures encourage strong early root development. By the time the growing season arrives, the tree is already acclimatised to the site and ready to push new growth.
This early root establishment often leads to better long-term structure and resilience, especially when stock is grown to high standards and matched carefully to site conditions.
Built for Large-Scale Landscapes
Bare root is an excellent fit for government and commercial projects because it’s easy to scale.
Councils, developers, and landscape architects often work with restricted budgets and delivery schedules. Bare root planting allows them to source more stock more affordably, without compromising on quality.
That’s particularly useful when planting street trees, median strips, open space revegetation zones, and parkland areas, all places where advanced container stock might exceed the budget or complicate delivery.
Bare root can also be used for long-term planning and contract growing. Many growers choose to pre-book bare root varieties 6–12 months in advance to secure availability, especially for larger projects where uniformity and timing are key.
Why Timing is Everything
Success with bare root trees depends on planting them quickly and correctly. Because they’re lifted and dispatched in their dormant state (typically from June to August in Victoria), there’s a limited time for both transport and planting.
That’s why it pays to lock in delivery dates that align with your on-ground operations. It’s important to work closely with your nursery to coordinate dispatch.
You can contact Arboretum Farm now to confirm what’s in stock and schedule your delivery. You can also download our latest stocklist here.
Our Top Bare Root Varieties This Season
This season’s top-performing bare root stock includes hardy, high-demand varieties that suit a range of commercial applications:
Betula pendula – Silver Birch. Popular for streetscapes and public gardens.
Lagerstroemia Natchez – Crepe Myrtle. Year-round interest – flowers, foliage, and bark.
Pyrus calleryana – Cleveland Select. Grafted ornamental pears, reliable structure and form.
Pyrus nivalis – Snow Pear. Striking silver foliage with seasonal white blossoms
Pyrus calleryana - Winter Glow. Glossy green leaves, white flowers, stunning in autumn.
Get in touch with our team to discuss stock grades, sizes, and growing history.
Best Practice Bare Root Planting: A Quick Checklist
Even if you’re already across the basics, here’s a quick recap for your planting crews:
Prepare sites early: Loosen soil and address drainage well before delivery. Adding clean and healthy sawdust will be a good option to keep the root ball happy.
Soak roots before planting: Helps rehydrate stock and reduce transplant shock.
Keep roots moist during handling: Never leave them exposed to air or sun.
Position carefully: Plant at the correct depth — no deeper than the root collar.
Stake if needed: Especially for sites exposed to wind or with loose soils.
Water deeply after planting: Continue regular watering throughout establishment.
Plan Now, Plant Soon
With seasonal availability limited to winter, we recommend booking now for this season or considering contract growing for 2025. If you're working on a streetscape upgrade, new subdivision, or open space plan, our team can help you plan a cost-effective bare root solution tailored to your specs.
We currently grow over 75,000 units across more than 320 tree varieties — all on 75 acres and three dedicated production sites. Our team has the expertise to support landscape projects at scale.
Looking for a reliable wholesale nursery partner this winter?
Get in touch with us today to check bare root availability, request a stocklist or start a conversation about contract growing.
