Remove the burlap before planting, or your tree will struggle to grow
Yes, you should remove burlap before planting a tree. Burlap is used only to hold the soil ball together during transport and storage at the nursery. Once the tree is in the ground, burlap prevents roots from spreading into the surrounding soil, traps moisture against the trunk (which can cause rot), and breaks down slowly enough to strangle roots as they grow. Even "biodegradable" burlap takes years to decompose and causes real damage in the meantime.
The exception is synthetic burlap or plastic netting, which should always come off. Natural burlap can technically be left on if you cut away the top third and loosen the sides, but removing it entirely takes five minutes and eliminates the risk. Most arborists recommend full removal as the safer choice.
Key Takeaways
- Burlap must be removed from the root ball before planting because it blocks roots from spreading into the soil and traps moisture against the trunk.
- Synthetic burlap and plastic netting should always be removed completely; they do not break down and will girdle roots as the tree grows.
- If you leave natural burlap on, cut away at least the top third and loosen the sides, but full removal is simpler and safer.
- Roots that cannot escape the burlap will circle inside the root ball, creating a weak, unstable tree that may fail years later.
Why burlap stops roots from growing outward
Tree roots need to spread into the soil around the planting hole to anchor the tree and draw water and nutrients from a wider area. Burlap, even loosely wrapped, acts as a physical barrier. Roots will not push through it; instead, they circle inside the root ball in a pattern called girdling. A girdled root system is weak and shallow, leaving the tree unstable in wind and vulnerable to drought.
The problem worsens over time. As the tree grows larger and heavier, a shallow root system cannot support it. Trees with girdled roots are more likely to topple in storms, even years after planting. Removing burlap takes a few minutes and prevents decades of structural weakness.
How moisture gets trapped under burlap
Burlap holds water against the root ball and the base of the trunk. In wet weather or after watering, this moisture sits in contact with the bark at the soil line. Bark is not designed to stay wet; prolonged moisture creates conditions for fungal rot and disease to take hold. The trunk can rot from the outside in, weakening the tree from its foundation.
This risk is highest in the first year after planting, when the tree is already stressed from transplanting. Removing burlap lets air and water drain away from the trunk, keeping it dry and healthy.
The difference between natural and synthetic burlap
Natural burlap is made from jute fiber and will eventually decompose, though "eventually" can mean three to five years or longer depending on soil conditions, moisture, and temperature. Synthetic burlap is made from plastic or polypropylene and does not break down at all. Plastic netting also does not decompose.
Even if you plan to leave natural burlap on, you cannot leave synthetic burlap or netting. As the tree grows, roots will press against the plastic and eventually be girdled by it. The tree will appear healthy for years, then suddenly decline as roots are cut off. Always remove synthetic materials completely before planting.
How to remove burlap safely
Dig the planting hole first, then place the tree in the hole while the burlap is still on. This keeps the root ball intact and prevents it from falling apart. Once the tree is positioned at the correct depth, cut the burlap away. Use a utility knife or pruning saw to cut vertical lines down the sides of the root ball, then peel the burlap back and away from the trunk.
Cut and remove the burlap from underneath the root ball as well. You may need to tilt the tree slightly or work the burlap out from under it. If the root ball is very large or heavy, ask a second person to help steady the tree while you work. Once the burlap is off, backfill the hole with soil and water thoroughly.
What to do if you left burlap on by mistake
If you planted a tree with burlap still wrapped around it, you can still fix it. Dig down around the base of the tree to expose the burlap, then cut it away. This works best within the first year or two after planting, before roots have grown too much and become tangled in the burlap.
If the tree is older and the burlap has mostly decomposed, you may not need to do anything. Check by digging down a few inches; if you can see burlap or plastic netting still intact, remove what you can without damaging roots. If it has mostly rotted away, the risk is lower, though you should still monitor the tree for signs of girdling (uneven growth, weak branches on one side, or a lean to one side).
Signs a tree's roots are girdled
A tree with girdled roots may look fine for several years, then show problems suddenly. Watch for uneven growth, with some branches much thicker or longer than others. The tree may lean to one side or have a weak, thin trunk compared to its height. In storms, a girdled tree may topple even if the wind is not particularly strong.
If you suspect girdling, dig down around the base of the tree and look at the roots. Healthy roots spread outward like spokes on a wheel. Girdled roots circle around the trunk or root ball in tight loops. If you see circling roots, you can sometimes carefully cut them away with a sharp saw, but this is a job for an arborist if the tree is large or the roots are thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave burlap on if I cut the top off?
Cutting away the top third and loosening the sides reduces the risk, but does not eliminate it. Roots can still be blocked by burlap on the lower sides and bottom of the root ball. Full removal is simpler and takes only a few extra minutes, so most arborists recommend it over partial removal.
What if the burlap is already falling apart when I plant?
Remove it anyway. Even burlap that looks fragile can still block roots and trap moisture. If it is crumbling as you handle it, that is a sign it will take a long time to decompose in the soil, so removing it now prevents years of problems later.
Is biodegradable burlap safe to leave on?
Biodegradable burlap is still natural jute and breaks down on the same timeline as regular burlap—three to five years or longer. During that time, it can still gird roots and trap moisture. Removing it is the safest choice, even if the label says it will decompose.
Do I need to remove burlap from a potted tree?
If the tree came in a pot, there is no burlap to remove. If it came in a pot wrapped in burlap for transport, remove the burlap before planting. If the tree is balled and burlapped (B&B), follow the same removal steps as any other burlapped tree.
What happens if burlap stays on for years?
Roots will circle inside the burlap and become girdled. The tree may grow slowly or unevenly. After several years, the girdled roots may fail to support the tree's weight, causing it to lean, topple in wind, or decline rapidly. Removing burlap early prevents this damage.