Big John (Open-bottom) Wire Tree Basket

Designed for the Big John digging spade, this wire tree basket features an open bottom style. Baskets are heavy weight galvanized wire.

Should wire baskets be removed when planting trees?
It's is okay to leave the wire basket around the root ball. In fact, leaving the wire basket and burlap around the root ball will increase transplant success and minimize staking. Though you should remove any rope across the top of the root ball, cut back the burlap on the top of the rootball, and then bend back or remove basket loops. To ensure proper growth you must use a correctly sized wire tree basket from the beginning.
Should I leave the burlap on when planting trees?
You don't need to remove the burlap from the root ball. Just like the answer above you can remove (cut back) the burlap from the top of the root ball and leave the rest intact.
Should you break up the root ball when planting?
You should leave the root ball intact. Make sure the roots are NOT circling, otherwise, they need to be cut with a razor knife prior to planting to ensure proper growth.
How do I remove a wire basket from a tree?
If you are required to remove the wire basket, first cut away the bottom half of the basket leaving the top half intact. Place the tree into the planting hole and fill in around the root ball with enough soil to stabilize the tree. Remove the top half of the basket and backfill to complete the planting job.