Bare roots should be planted in:

• A. A concave shaped hole
• B. A mounded bottom hole
• C. An extremely deep hole
• D. A flat bottom hole

Answer: (B)

Bare roots need to be in solid contact with soil and supported so the roots can spread without air gaps. Placing the roots over a small mound at the bottom of the hole provides a stable surface for spreading them and lets you backfill from the sides, ensuring soil surrounds every part of the roots as you fill. This setup helps keep the root system evenly planted and the root collar at the proper depth. A concave bottom can cause water to pool and oversaturation; a flat bottom can leave roots poorly supported and create air pockets; an extremely deep hole can bury the roots too deeply. So, a hole with a mound at the bottom is the best choice for bare-root planting.