We had some trees replaced on the property a few Springs back. I had a hard time getting any landscaper to take on a small job during their busy season, so I had to hire whoever I could get. A few years later, the trees have died. I thought it was bag worm, and I’e finally gotten around to digging these trees up. Lo and behold, I find I am digging up the cage of bailing wire which must have held their root balls together. Should the landscaper have cut this away before planting? Did the roots die of stangulation? …and who’d know the difference, right?
All the instructions I’ve seen call for either leaving the burlap in place or cutting the cords holding it tight against the root ball and spreading it out. So, your trees were probably planted correctly.
A major problem with trees sold like this is that the soil around the roots must have a high clay content to hold together. When you back fill the hole with native soil it is very difficult to get water into the clay. This causes the tree to die from dehydration even though it’s seemingly well watered. Trees planted with balled roots must have a basin which is filled with water every few days until the roots extend into the native soil.