What is bare-root planting? And what are rootball plants? Both are ways of planting trees, hedges and some shrubs (such as roses) in the least costly way you can, and also at the horticulturally best time of year, as the planting process hapens while the plants are dormant over the winter. Bare-root plants arrive with their roots exposed (but in a bag of some sort), and rootballs are used for heavier plants where the roots are encased in soil within a hessian sack. Tom offers the supply and planting of bare-root and rootball hedges and trees in the Glasgow area.