How To Plant A Dogwood Tree In Burlap

You can plant a dogwood tree in burlap by preparing the site, digging a proper hole, and placing the root ball with the burlap intact before securing it and watering thoroughly.
 
Planting a dogwood tree in burlap is totally doable, and it’s one of the best ways to give your tree a strong start in your yard.
 
When you plant a dogwood tree in burlap, you’re working with a root ball that’s wrapped in natural fabric, which keeps the roots protected during transport and storage.
 
The burlap is meant to stay on during planting, but you need to handle it the right way so the roots can spread and establish themselves.
 
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to plant a dogwood tree in burlap, from picking the right spot to aftercare that helps your tree thrive.
 
Let’s dig in and get your dogwood tree settled in its new home.
 

Why You Should Plant a Dogwood Tree in Burlap

Planting a dogwood tree in burlap is a smart choice because the burlap protects the delicate root system during handling.
 
Unlike bare-root trees, a burlapped dogwood tree arrives with soil and roots intact, which reduces transplant shock significantly.
 
The burlap also holds moisture around the roots, which is crucial when you’re moving a tree from a nursery to your yard.
 
When you plant a dogwood tree in burlap, you’re preserving the root ball’s structure, and that structure is what keeps the tree stable as it starts growing.
 
Many gardeners prefer this method because it lets you plant later in the season too, since the roots aren’t exposed to air.
 
So if you’ve got a burlapped dogwood, you’re already ahead of the game.
 

1. The Burlap Keeps Roots Moist and Safe

The main reason to plant a dogwood tree in burlap is moisture retention, and that’s a big deal for young trees.
 
The burlap wrap holds soil and water together, creating a moist environment around the roots that encourages healthy growth.
 
Without burlap, roots dry out fast, and a dried root ball means a stressed or even dead tree.
 
So when you plant a dogwood tree in burlap, you’re giving those roots a cushioned, hydrated start.
 
This is especially helpful if you can’t plant right away after bringing the tree home.
 

2. It Reduces Transplant Shock

Transplant shock is when a tree struggles after moving, showing wilting leaves or stunted growth.
 
Planting a dogwood tree in burlap minimizes this because the root ball stays undisturbed, and the tree doesn’t realize it’s been moved as much.
 
The burlap acts like a protective shell, holding the roots together so they don’t break or tear.
 
This means your dogwood tree can focus its energy on growing new roots instead of recovering from damage.
 
That’s why burlapped trees often establish faster than bare-root ones.
 

3. You Can Plant Later in the Season

Another perk of burlapped dogwoods is flexibility with planting time.
 
Since the burlap keeps the root ball intact and moist, you can plant a dogwood tree in burlap in early spring or even early fall.
 
The roots aren’t exposed to harsh air, so the tree tolerates a wider range of planting windows.
 
Just avoid planting during extreme heat or when the ground is frozen, and your burlapped tree will be fine.
 
 

Step-by-Step Guide to Plant a Dogwood Tree in Burlap

Now let’s get into the actual process of planting a dogwood tree in burlap.
 
Follow these steps carefully, and your dogwood will thank you with beautiful blooms for years.
 

1. Pick the Right Location and Prep the Soil

Before you plant a dogwood tree in burlap, choose a spot with partial shade, especially afternoon shade in hotter climates.
 
Dogwoods love well-draining soil that’s slightly acidic, so test your soil and amend it with compost if needed.
 
Clear the area of grass, weeds, and rocks, and loosen the soil in a circle that’s about three times the width of the root ball.
 
This gives the roots room to expand outward once they grow beyond the burlap.
 
Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball but two to three times wider.
 
The top of the root ball should sit level with or slightly above the surrounding ground.
 

2. Place the Burlapped Dogwood in the Hole

Now it’s time to place your dogwood tree in burlap into the hole you’ve dug.
 
Carefully lift the tree by the root ball, not the trunk, and set it gently into the center of the hole.
 
Check that the tree stands straight, then step back and look at it from all angles.
 
You want the trunk to be vertical, not leaning to one side.
 
If the root ball is too high or low, remove the tree and adjust the soil beneath it.
 
Once the tree is positioned, don’t remove the burlap yet, but do check that it’s intact and not torn.
 

3. Cut and Fold Down the Burlap

A common mistake is leaving the burlap completely intact, which can strangle the roots as the tree grows.
 
So after you plant a dogwood tree in burlap and it’s in the hole, use a sharp knife to cut the burlap.
 
Cut several vertical slits down the sides of the burlap, from top to bottom.
 
Then gently fold the burlap down and away from the top of the root ball, exposing the top third of the soil.
 
You can also peel the burlap back from the top edge and push it down around the sides.
 
If the burlap is synthetic (plastic-backed), remove it entirely because it won’t decompose.
 
For natural burlap, you can leave the folded portions in the hole as long as the top is exposed.
 

4. Backfill the Hole with Soil

With the burlap folded down, start backfilling the hole with the soil you removed earlier.
 
Add soil in layers, and water lightly as you go to remove air pockets around the root ball.
 
Press the soil down gently with your hands or a shovel, but don’t compact it too tightly.
 
Continue filling until the hole is level with the ground, ensuring the top of the root ball is still visible.
 
Don’t mound soil up against the trunk, as that can cause rot.
 
Keep the burlap edges just below the soil surface, not above it.
 

5. Water Deeply and Add Mulch

After planting a dogwood tree in burlap, give it a deep, slow watering right away.
 
Use a hose on a trickle and let it run at the base for about 30 minutes, or water with a bucket and wait for it to soak in.
 
This settles the soil and ensures the root ball gets fully hydrated.
 
Then spread 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch, like wood chips or bark, around the base of the tree.
 
Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and pests.
 
The mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulates temperature.
 
 

Common Mistakes When You Plant a Dogwood Tree in Burlap

Even with the right steps, folks make a few errors when they plant a dogwood tree in burlap.
 
Avoid these so your tree doesn’t suffer.
 

1. Leaving the Burlap Wrapped Too Tightly

If you don’t cut and fold the burlap back, the roots can’t grow through it, and they’ll circle around the root ball.
 
This creates a girdled root system, which eventually strangles the tree.
 
Always slash or fold the burlap after placing the tree.
 

2. Planting Too Deep

A dogwood tree in burlap is often planted too deep, and that’s a death sentence.
 
The trunk flare, where the trunk meets the roots, needs to be above ground level.
 
If you bury the flare, moisture accumulates, leading to fungal diseases and bark decay.
 

3. Skipping the Mulch or Over-Mulching

Mulch is your friend, but too much of it is harmful.
 
A thick layer of mulch piled against the trunk holds moisture against the bark, inviting pests and rot.
 
Keep the mulch layer thin and the trunk bare.
 
 

So, How Do You Plant a Dogwood Tree in Burlap?

You plant a dogwood tree in burlap by prepping the site, placing the root ball in a wide, shallow hole, and cutting the burlap to let the roots escape.
 
Get the location right with partial shade and good drainage.
 
Position the tree so the trunk flare is at or above the soil line.
 
Fold down the burlap, backfill with native soil, and water deeply.
 
Add mulch but keep it off the trunk.
 
Avoid planting too deep or leaving the burlap tight.
 
With these steps, your dogwood tree in burlap will establish strong roots and reward you with gorgeous spring blossoms.
 
So get out there, and plant that dogwood tree in burlap today for a healthy, thriving landscape.