A gravel bed is an irrigated bed or pile of gravel where bare root or washed containerized stock is placed and safely held for up to 3-6 months to maximize fibrous root growth. VCE Loudoun, VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners, and Loudoun Co. Parks & Recreation combined forces and completed two gravel beds – one at Claude Moore Park and the other at Franklin Park. In partnership with Loudoun County Parks & Recreation, the parks donated the land for the constructed beds where bare root trees and shrubs are placed in the gravel to test the fibrous root growth over time. Measurements of fibrous root growth will be compared with their initial root structure when extracted for planting in the ground. The bed will be filled with saplings from mid-April through mid-October with native trees and shrubs.
Benefits of a Gravel Bed*
- “Heeling-in” plant roots is a long term alternative to holding bare rooted trees and shrubs in buckets of water for a length of time. This process is done in loose material, chosen here is pea gravel. When it is time for the trees to be planted in the soil (in autumn), these trees can be easily removed from the medium and immediately planted in a hole of proper proportions to grow!
* From: University of Minnesota, Department of Forest Resources
Watering Requirements
The bare root saplings will be watered for 100 minutes a day using a timer and soaker hose. Four 25-minute intervals spaced out accordingly.
How to Plant Bare Root Trees
Resources
Handbook: All You Need to Know About Community Gravel Beds
University of Minnesota: Gravel Beds
Agroforestry Publications (USDA)
