Steps To Transplanting A Tree

As your lawn and landscaping mature, you'll often find a need to move a particular tree. Maybe because it's getting too big, or it needs more or less exposure, or because you think it would be nicer somewhere else. To give your tree the best chance of success, consider these simple steps while you're making the transplant.

Evaluate the success of the transplant. If you are deciding to move the tree because it is not healthy or has become unsightly, the actual stress from transplanting may finish it off. Regardless of how much care you use while transplanting, the tree will be under great stress. You must also take into consideration the type of tree you're transplanting. Deciduous trees do better during a transplant than do evergreens. Trees with shallow roots do better than trees with deep roots. A younger tree will typically recover from the transplant better than an older tree.

Transplant at the right time of season. The best time to move trees is during the earlier spring, right after the ground thaws and before the trees start to bud. You will also have success transplanting in the fall right after the leaves have dropped. Do not try to move a tree in late spring or during the summer or when the ground is still frozen.

Prepare for the move. You never want to let the roots to dry out during the procedure. Start 2 or 3 days before the move and water the tree sufficiently. You'll also want to mark the tree so you can make sure you put it back in the same direction as it was originally situated.

Properly dig up the tree. Use a sharp shovel to dig around the plant's roots. You need to make sure that any roots you cut off are done cleanly. Small trees (under a 1" diameter) can be transplanted with a bare root. Anything larger than that you'll want to create a soil ball around the root system.

Prepare its new home. The new hole should be 2-3 times wider than the root ball of the tree. The sides of the hole should be roughed up with a shovel and it should be watered down to prevent the post-watering to be drawn away from the ball.

Stay on top of the transplanting. Right after you have transplanted you'll need to water the tree and keep it watered every 10 days or so to make sure the root ball doesn't dry out. If you dig down 3-4 inches and get wet soil, then you know there's enough water. Depending on the size of the tree and the environment, you may want to stake the tree to keep it straight. Do not use fertilizer on the tree for the first couple years--the tree doesn't need it. Mulch is also a good idea to help keep the moisture in. If you soil doesn't drain very well, you may not want to use mulch.