Abstract: Wire tree baskets are disclosed for receiving tree or shrub balls. The baskets are comprised of a plurality of spaced apart, circular wire rings of differing diameters in order to taper the basket at an angle of 28.degree. to 32.degree. and a plurality of wire upright loops terminated by bights to give tie-off points for securing the ball within the the basket. The basket is welded together with the welds located to reduce the possibility of fractured welds and, further, reduce both the damage to the structural integrity of the basket caused by the fracture of a weld and reduce the potential for damage to adjacent trees caused by the fracture of a weld when balled trees are stacked together. Advantageous methods for using the tree baskets are also disclosed.