Some
trees are supplied with a rootball wrapped in hessian. Root
wrappings provide protection and support to the rootball during
transport and placement in the planting hole.
As hessian may take several years to decay it is best removed before filling the planting hole. If this is not possible holes cut through the sides may aid root penetration into the surrounding soil. With smaller trees it may be possible to tilt the rootball in the planting hole and carefully draw the wrapping away. Large trees once in the planting hole can be stabilised by temporary staking or part filling the hole, after which the hessian can be cut away from around the rootball.
Removing the wrapping will give you the opportunity to inspect the rootball to check that the roots are healthy and adequate for the tree size, and that they are not damaged or circling the rootball. It will also enable you see that the tree is planted at the correct depth. Trees should be planted with the root flare at the base of the stem near the soil surface. Where wire is used to surround the wrapping, it is best cut away, at least from the top part of the rootball to avoid constriction and girdling of the new roots.
Some trees are planted with hessian wrappings in place on planting in the belief that removing them may cause damage to the existing roots and that the wrapping will not hinder the development of new roots. If the soil conditions are good and the soil moist on both sides of the wrapping, roots may well be able to reach out into the soil and the wrapping may decay. Establishment failures can occur where root wrappings are left in place after planting. However, some suppliers will not guarantee to replace a tree where wrappings are removed.