Bareroot Trees FAQ

Waking up overdue dormant trees:  1/10/2006  What do you do to wake up a really slow bareroot planting of nut trees? I had one take ten months to sprout. Had pulled up two others after 8 months and one was still alive underground. I am in Texas, Zone 8-9. S.

Dormant stock is "dormant" because it confused...and therefore doesn't know it's time to begin seasonal growth. They require a period of chilling to "trick" them into thinking they've gone through winter, following a prior season of growth. I'm guessing they were originally grown in a much colder zone, and were dug and shipped immediately after dropping their leaves. They probably think it's still early Fall...and are physiologically confused...waiting for Spring to arrive.

Eventually, as you have experienced, they just give up waiting for the anticipated winter....and make an attempt to fumble their way into new growth.

Next time either purchase locally...or check your northern source to make sure they've been "vernalized" (given the required period of chilling) before they are shipped.

A note of caution: vigorously avoid buying from large bargain operations (usually mailorder) that advertise heavily and offer plants at too-good-to-be-true prices. You may end up with a very expensive (and poorly treated) and confused little twig. Buyer beware! (Return to "Bareroot Trees")

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