Bareroot plants are shipped dormant.  Often, they are uprooted and stored in a controlled environment to ensure that they remain dormant up to, and sometimes during, the shipping process.  The idea is that the plants will break dormancy after being planted in the ground.  Some species might need a little help before they are planted, otherwise they may not be able to break dormancy on their own.  This is a process often referred to as "sweating" bareroot plants.

There are several varieties of bareroot plants and trees that need to sweated.  Some bareroot trees that will need to be sweated include Ash (Fraxinus), Birch (Betula), Crabapple (Malus), Flowering Pear (Pyrus), Hackberry (Celtis), Hawthorn (Crataegus), Hornbeam (Carpinus), Maple (Acer), Oak (Quercus), Serviceberry (Amelanchier), and Weeping Willow (Salix).  A few shrubs that may need sweating include Barberry (Berberis), Lilacs (Syringa), and Potentilla (Potentilla).  This is not a complete listing, but these are a few of the more popular varieties.  If you order these plants, then you may need to sweat them before planting.

So you may wonder how will you know if the plant is in need of sweating or when sweating has been completed.  The plant will begin to bud, letting you know that the dormancy has been broken.  Sweating might not be necessary if you are ordering your bareroot items from a mail order or online nursery.  Sweating often will happen through the shipping process (especially in the warmer months).  If you open your package and see that bud are sprouting, then sweating won't be necessary.  Note:  Not all bareroot items need to be sweated and the ones that don't should go into the ground immediately even if there are not any buds.  In those cases, they might be completely healthy even though they look dormant.

If the plants haven't started to bud, even after the shipping process, then you may have to sweat the trees on your own.  You will want to place them in a shaded area that will remain at fairly consistent temperature between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.  Check the roots to see if they feel moist.  If not, then moisten the roots (you can soak them for a couple of hours if needed).  Most places will cover the roots during shipping with moss or moist paper to keep the roots moist, and they cover the trees in plastic.  Use the same packing material around the roots, and put the plants back in the box with the plastic.  Check them every other day to make sure their is moisture around the roots.  This process may take a week or so.  Note:  If mold develops, you can use a garden hose attachment to spray it off.  Shake the extra water off and put them back in the box if they need more time.

The process can take a little time, but for some varieties of bareroot plants it is the only way to ensure that they will break dormancy.  If you have questions, you can always check with your local nursery or local county extension agency.