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\ ˈrüt-ˌbȯl 
also ˈru̇t- \
also ˈru̇t- \Definition of root ball
: the compact mass of roots and soil formed by a plant especially in a container
Examples of root ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Plant azaleas with the top of the root ball just above ground.
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Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, "7 Deadly Azalea Mistakes You Should Avoid," 22 May 2020 The trees — their botanical name is Liriodendron tulipifera — were saplings, from seven to 10 years old and all around 10 feet tall, their skinny trunks extending from root balls being dropped into holes.
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Kathleen Beckett, New York Times, "Marie Antoinette Would Be Proud," 6 Apr. 2020 Once on the surface, don’t allow root ball to dry out.
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oregonlive, "What you need to know about dividing plants and replanting," 24 Mar. 2020 Divide crowded bunchgrasses by trimming the tops down, digging, and slicing through the root ball; replant and water deeply.
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Heather Arndt Anderson, Sunset Magazine, "Your Ultimate Spring Gardening To-Do List for March and April," 16 Mar. 2020 Create a berm at the edge of the root ball to help hold and direct water down through the roots and then out into the surrounding soil.
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Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, "Dry root balls main reason for azalea decline," 26 Oct. 2019 Holes should be about three times wider than root balls and have rough, not smooth, sides.
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Howard Garrett, Dallas News, "Want to plant a tree in late winter? Here are 6 common mistakes to avoid," 13 Feb. 2020 The part that surprised me was that the whole tree, the root ball and everything, got ripped out of the ground.
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John Jeremiah Sullivan, The New Yorker, "Mother Nut," 23 Dec. 2019 Then make sure the root ball of your new azalea is moist before planting.
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Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, "Dry root balls main reason for azalea decline," 26 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'root ball.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for root ball
The first known use of root ball was in 1930
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