Bare root specimens are less expensive and less cumbersome than nursery stock in cans and they are more likely to survive installation. Bulbs and many other ornamentals are planted in winter for the same reasons.

Species that are most commonly available bare-root include many of the fruit trees and their ‘fruitless’ or ‘flowering’ colleagues as well as many deciduous shade trees, deciduous magnolias, wisteria, roses, cane berries, grapes, strawberries, rhubarb and artichokes.