Transplanting Trees and Shrubs - When and How to Transplant a Tree
TREE TRANSPLANTING
TIPS
Dig the new hole before removing the tree. This will help to prevent the roots drying out.
Try to get friends and neighbours to helps you move the tree once it is out of the hole!
Transplant trees and shrubs in autumn or fall for the best results and cances of survival
SOME TOOLS YOU WILL NEED FOR TRANSPLANTING
A TREE
Rake - A good garden rakefor clearing up when you have finished.
Shovels - Square nosed and a digging spade.
Gloves - For protcting your hands
Sheet or Tarpaulin - For moving the tree, and keeping surrounding area clean.
Wheelbarrow - For moving small trees and clearing the debris
Metal or Wood Stakes - for staking and supporting your newly transplanted tree or shrub
HOW TO TRANSPLANT A TREE OR SHRUB?
A landscaping facelift project
in your garden may mean that you have to move one ormore trees or shrubs
to a new location. However many trees that are transplanted often die
due to improper transplanting techniques.
If you do decide totransplant shrubs or trees you must take steps to improve their chances of survival.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRANSPLANT A TREE?
Autumn is the best time of year to transplant a tree. At this time of year the tree is in a dormant state with its energies deep inside the roots.As the tree is dormant it is less likely to suffer from stress and go into a shocked state.
During this time the surrounding soil will be moist and the rootball will be less likely to dry out.
CAN YOU TRANSPLANT TREES IN SPRING INSTEAD OF AUTUMN?
Once spring arrives a tree will wake up with all of its energy intact. If you try to transplant it in the spring the tree's energy resources will be concerntrated on tasks such as making new leaves and buds, therefore it will be in a more stressed state and it might not survive or flourish if you move it.
If you have to move ia tree or shrub in the spring really pay a lot of attention to it all throughout the rest of the growing season. Make sure that that the soil around the tree never dries out - especially through a hot summer.
PREPARING TO TRANPLANT A TREE OR SHRUB
Before you move a tree prepare it by watering it everyday for a few days. This will make the rootball moist so that most of the soil will stay with the tree roots.
If the rootball is too dry the soil around the rots will just crumble away.
Dig and prepare the new hole before you remove the tree or shrub. Once you have dug up the plant the longer its roots are exposed, the lower the chances for successful tranplantation.
TRANSPLANTING SHRUBS OR TREEs YOURSELF
For small trees or shrubs – those with a trunk diameter of less than an inch or so – digging out the roots can be done using an ordinary garden spade.
Remove the tree following these steps:
- Dig a hole in the new location large enough so that the tree's root system will not be cramped or folded. It is usually it is best to make the hole 2 times the size of the tree's root ball.
- Dig a hole around the roots of the tree to a width of 9-12 inches in diameter for every 1 inch of tree trunk diameter and to a depth of 6 inches for every 1 inch. of trunk diameter.
- Slide an old sheet into the hole that you have dug and wiggle it down underneath the cut roots and carefully drag or carry the whole tree to the new hole using the sheet.
- While digging out the tree,keep the topsoil for replanting. Mix this with any extra soil that is needed and include some well rotted compost. A fertilizer may be added to the soil.
- Work the soil down between the roots of the tree and under the the root ball. Firm the soil as you go toavoid leaving air pockets.
- Stake if needed for support
- Water in well and make sure that the soil doesn't dry out
TRANSPLANTING A LARGE TREE
If you want to transplant a large or tall tree for really good results find a business that specialise in moving large trees.
A good tree surgeon or arboriculturist will have equipment specially designed to transplant a tree.
A machine will close around the tree, and then four large hydrolic spades spear down on all sides of the tree, and lift the whole tree or shrub out in one action - minimising damage to the roots of the tree.
Resources: Transplanting Trees
Tree Surgeons and Arboriculture by County
Advice about Transplanting Trees and Shrubs - When and How to Transplant a Tree, Preparation and technique