Do you wish you had a little shade in your backyard during the summer months? Or how about a splash of color in your front yard in the fall?

We are beginning a new series, "Your Garden Companion" with Paul DeJong from "Landscape Garden Center" in Sioux Falls.
He's here to tell you about the benefits of "bare root" tree planting.

Paul says a small potted tree weighs quite a bit but the same bare root tree can be easily lifted with one hand.

You can also select your own root system. A bare root tree has no excess dirt, so you can inspect the roots.

You can also give the tree a light pruning if you need an odd branch taken off here and there.

Many customers think back to mail order catalogs and those bare root trees arrived very small in size. But Paul shows an example of a Sienna maple tree that is very substantial.
He says this tree in a pot or burlap ball would weigh a couple hundred pounds. But he can lift it easily.

You will also not have to deal with excess dirt on the roots.

Arbor Day is later this month, so think about planting a tree.
But always remember, call your local utilities before you dig.