Instead of cutting down a tree that is poorly located or takes up space for other plants, transplant it to a better spot in your garden where you can keep it for years to come. In this article you will learn how to transplant a tree properly, taking care from its transfer, conservation and planting in a new land.
Tree transplant.
Crowding plants often decreases the amount of nutrients they can absorb from the soil. This can cause developmental problems and even slow growth.
Digging up small trees and moving them to a new location can be intimidating, but it is often necessary to grow healthy plants. Read on to learn everything you need to know about transplanting trees, both evergreen and deciduous.
At what point should you transplant a tree?
The best time to move deciduous shrubs and trees is in late fall or winter, when the plant is dormant. Their growth stops, which means you won’t have to worry about transplant shock.
You can also move deciduous trees in early spring, just as the buds begin to appear. Swollen shoots are the first sign of growth at the top of the plant, and in about a week, the roots will start to grow as well.
For evergreens, it’s best to transplant in late summer or early fall so the roots have time to develop before cold weather hits.
Find a place with room for them to grow.
For a smooth transition, dig the new hole first. This will prevent the tree roots from drying out while the new hole is being prepared. If you have to wait, even half an hour, wrap the root ball in several layers of damp newspaper or a little burlap so that the roots do not dry out.
Save the dirt from the hole you dug for later. Helpful Tip: When digging, keep in mind that the hole should be wider, not deeper. The vast majority of a plant’s roots reside in the top 30 cm of the ground, so there is no need to dig any deeper than that, especially in the case of a small tree like this.
Even when transplanting a much larger tree, one twice this size or larger, you won’t need to dig more than 18 to 24 inches.
Dig it up.
Now that you have prepared the new location for the tree, it is ready to be transplanted. First, soak the roots of the tree with a water hose. Using a shovel, dig around the plant until you can move it easily. Not sure how wide to dig the root ball? Climb 30 cm up the trunk from the base.
Then, measure the diameter of the tree at that point and multiply it by 18. The number you get is the diameter of the root ball you will need to dig. Cut through the soil at a slight angle toward the base of the tree, using precise movements of the shovel to avoid damage to the roots. Pick up the root ball with the shovel as you go to loosen the roots.
Wrap with a tarp.
Gently remove the tree and wrap it in a tarp to make transporting it easier. If dirt falls off the root ball when you pick it up, nothing happens.
Helpful Tip: Ask a friend to help you lift the tree off the ground, even small root balls can weigh up to 40 kilos or more. For a larger tree, you may need special machinery and / or a qualified professional to make the move.
Take care of your back.
Lift the tarp up from both ends, making sure never to pull on the trunk. Put the tree in a wheelbarrow (back protector!) And move to the new location.
Plant it.
Remove the tarp (again, be careful not to bend the trunk) and gently place the root ball in the hole you previously dug. Leaving up to a third of the root ball above the ground, cover the roots with enough soil (which you saved earlier) to stabilize the tree and make sure it is upright.
Add compost.
Once the tree is stable, fill the rest of the hole with compost, tamping it lightly as you cover the hole.
Water the plant well.
Irrigation is one of the most important steps. Newly planted trees require more care than plants that have been established for a long time, so be sure to water the tree frequently if there is no rain forecast.
The finishing touch with mulch.
Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to the top of the root ball to retain moisture, but avoid mulching all the way to the trunk.
Enjoy the new location and keep your plant.
With a new place to call home, this tree will have room to grow.
Maintenance tips when transplanting a tree: To reduce energy expenditure, cut back up to a third of the tree’s growth from the inside of the tree.
This allows the roots to settle down without too much stress on the plant. Water abundantly every day for two weeks and don’t fertilize for at least a year so the roots can focus on settling down.
