Should burlap and wire basket be removed when planting a tree?
Knowledgebase
Tree planting #926817
Asked March 26, 2026, 12:49 PM EDT
Should burlap and wire basket be removed when planting a tree?
Montgomery CountyMaryland
Expert Response
Yes, if wire and burlap isn't removed (especially the wire), it could interfere with plant establishment and long-term root health which could, at worst, kill the tree later in life. Some burlap is treated to resist decay while other burlap decays fairly rapidly (within a few months), but the wire can remain for years or even decades.