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Trees do more than add greenery, fruit, or flowers to a landscape. People plant trees to shade patios, driveways, homes, and other plants.
Sometimes, a tree outgrows the space it lives in and infringes on structures above the ground or plumbing pipes below.
Mature trees can grow too close to power lines and pruning is just not enough. Conditions around a tree can change. For example, the city might add a sidewalk, the neighbor puts up a fence, or the garage fills, forcing the shiny family car out to the driveway and under a bird-loving tree.
Some people move to a home with established trees that were planted too close to the house, with the wrong sun exposure, or in a spot where deer or elk are damaging it.
If you are considering transplanting a tree onto your property, make sure you do it at the right time. Trees should be transplanted in late fall or early spring, as the dormancy of the tree allows for the rapid growth of the roots in the tree.
Read on for instructions on how to prune and repot your tree, and how to make sure it survives in its new home.
How To Transplant a Tree Safely: A Step-by-Step Guide
Transplanting a tree can prevent damage to a car, roof, and people or save the tree itself. If you have a misplaced tree, no need to cut it. With the right tools and techniques, you can transplant a tree to a different area of your yard.
Whether deciduous or evergreen, shady or decorative, trees add value and diminish the attractiveness of any property.
Occasionally, however, the location of a tree causes some problems. Perhaps you are blocking a construction project such as a house extension or patio extension.
Perhaps the tree is wobbling in its current location due to insufficient light, soil, or water conditions. A tree could also start growing too close to the house or surrounding buildings, preventing healthy development.
Whatever the situation, this poorly positioned tree does not need to be felled or felled. As long as the trunk of the healthy young tree is no more than 2 inches in diameter, a tree owner can follow these instructions to transplant a tree to a different location in the garden.
If transplanting in the fall, complete the task early enough for roots to form before the ground freezes. Even so, you should start your project well in advance.
Tree roots should be pruned a few months before transplanting to allow the tree to thrive in its new location.
Read on for instructions on how to prune and repot your tree, and how to make sure it survives in its new home.
Pruning The Roots First
The process of transplanting a tree begins with pruning the roots several months before transplanting. This act encourages the growth of new forage roots (which absorb water and nutrients) closer to the base of the tree to help the tree better adapt to its new location.
If you plan to transplant a tree in the fall, prune the roots the previous spring.If you plan to transplant a tree in the spring, prune the roots in the fall beforehand. Plan and prepare the tree before cutting roots by following the steps below.
Water The Tree Before Pruning.
Prepare the tree for pruning, and water it well the day before. Watering helps ensure the soil sticks to the roots, and moist soil is easier to turn over. Water the area around the mature root ball at least 24 hours before root cutting.
Slowly add water through a drip system or low-flow hose.
Calculate How Much Of The Root Ball (The Root Ball At The Base Of Your Tree) You Want To Prune.
As a rule of thumb, the root ball should be about 12 inches in diameter for every inch of trunk thickness. So if the trunk is 2 inches thick, try pruning the root ball to 2 feet in diameter. Cut in a circle about 2 feet from the main trunk of the tree.
Dig A Trench Around The Root Ball.
Using a flat shovel, cut a narrow trench (about 2 feet deep and about 1 foot wide) around the root ball. Hold the shovel perpendicular to the ground and step on it to drive the sharp point through the root.
Larger, more mature trees may need a deeper trench dug by professional arborists or landscapers. Those digging their trenches should ensure they do not dig near underground utilities during they place the soil around the pruned roots.
Replace The Soil Around The Pruned Roots.
Backfill the trench with the excavated soil and carefully place the subsoil (which lies deeper in the trench) under the topsoil. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch on top of the soil above the root ball to retain moisture and prevent cold damage if the tree is not moved until after winter.
When you return months later to move the tree, you should find new food roots growing closer to the trunk of the tree. When you remove the bottom. The feeder roots form a strong root system.
Then transplant the tree after root pruning, giving the tree several months to develop a new root system.
Make sure the tree looks healthy before you pull it out of the ground.
A diseased or damaged plant may not survive the move. thrives (whether due to disease or environmental issues), you may have to postpone another season until she’s healthy again.
Once the tree looks ready for transplanting and the time is right, select and prepare the new site, water the tree, and dig around and under the root ball.
Once the tree is ready for its new home, follow the recommendations for planting an established tree from a reputable source.
Choose A New Suitable Location.
Choose a new location carefully. Make sure the new location has enough space for the tree to grow, as well as the right soil, light, and water conditions. Consider the size of mature trees about crown growth above and root growth below ground.
Each species of tree has different requirements, so take the time to do your research. After all, bad conditions could be the reason The Tree needed a new home in the first place.
Read More: How To Eliminate Conditions That Attract Rodents
Water The Tree Before Transplanting.
If you plan to move a tree in the fall, water as needed during dry summer periods to keep the roots healthy. Tree roots that are cut in the fall for a spring move may need some watering during particularly dry winters.
Moist soil is easier to turn and helps hold the root ball together. Make sure the soil gets moisture around the entire circle of the trench
Dig A Hole At The New Location.
In the new location, dig a hole about three times as wide but just as deep as the root ball to allow lateral roots to spread out. Don’t dig the hole too deep or the roots could rot.
Be sure to salvage the excavated earth and separate the topsoil from the subsoil. Water the hole well to bring some extra moisture into the soil, which will help hold the root ball together.
Next, begin digging around the tree about 6 inches past the trimmed roots with a sharp, flat shovel. If you dig several inches beyond the trench, make sure you include most (if not all) of the new feeder roots that will help the tree adapt to its new location.
Dig at least 1-2 feet deep to ensure the shovel can get under the root ball. Pruning shears or pruning shears for larger roots.
Dig Under The Root Ball.
After digging around the perimeter of the tree, begin digging under the tree to cut the roots underneath. Remember to leave the root ball diameter intact. If a tree’s trunk is 2 inches in diameter, then dig down just over 2 feet to get the full root ball.
Slightly rocking the root ball into the hole can help determine if any previously undetected roots are sticking to it. Carefully remove loose soil around the root ball.
Use Burlap To Lift The Tree.
Once the tree is completely clear of the soil in the hole, place a sheet of natural burlap in the hole and cover it with the tree roots. Root heavier. It may be necessary to carefully lift the balls out of the hole and place them on the canvas.
Make sure the burlap covers the entire root ball. Use the burlap to lift the tree off the ground (never by the trunk) to prevent it from breaking. Having another person on hand to help hold the tree’s roots in the burlap and lift the tree off the ground will help.
Move The Tree To The New Position.
Secure the burlap with string to hold the soil together and move the tree to its new location. If it’s too heavy to carry, place the burlap-covered root ball on a tarp to tow it to the new location without damaging it.
You can lift the burlap onto cardboard or a sturdy cart if that’s easier.
Read Also: 10 Ash Tree Diseases And How To Treat Them
Place The Tree In The New Hole.
Place the tree in the new hole, making sure the base of the trunk is level with the ground. Often the tree canopy and trunk area will show a color change to indicate the ground level at their previous location.
Assuming the tree was healthy and not planted too low or too high, this could be a helpful guide. Add the soil needed to get the right height.
Once the tree is in the hole, remove the burlap and twine.
Fill In Soil.
Fill in the soil around the tree with soil from the dug hole, making sure to place the substrate on the bottom of the hole and the topsoil on top. Gently tamp the ground.
Water thoroughly to the edge of the hole. Next, add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base of the tree, being careful not to push it into the trunk. Mulch helps promote proper humidity and temperature while the tree adjusts to its new home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Uproot And Replant A Tree?
You can uproot trees that are fairly healthy and not too large (no more than 2 or 3 inches in diameter at the main trunk).
However, transplanting a tree can be shocking and many can go wrong if you rush the process or skip steps to carefully prune and transplant the tree.
It is helpful to call in a professional to move a large tree or a tree that is not in good health. Uprooting and replanting a failing tree could breathe new life into it.
How Do You Move A Tree Without Killing It?
Prepare the roots well in advance of moving to ensure they remain healthy and ready to re-establish themselves in the new location.
Use natural burlap and twine to hold the root ball together and protect it during movement. Then place something under the burlap ball to pull, roll, or carry the plant to its new location.
If necessary, enlist the help of a friend, rented equipment, or a professional to ensure the tree has a safe journey.
Which Time Of Year Is Best For Transplanting Trees?
The season depends on the tree species. Most trees do best when moved in late fall or early spring while they are dormant. This gives them time in the summer to develop new roots. Avoid transplanting less than 6 weeks before approaching stressful weather such as summer heat or winter frosts. If you are unsure, check with local consultant offices or tree care companies for the specific timing and type of tree in your area.
How Do You Prepare A Tree For Transplantation?
Follow the steps above to properly prune tree roots, leave for several months, then carefully remove the root ball. Be sure to protect the roots while they are waiting and make sure they get adequate water during their dormant period and just before transplanting.
When Is The Best Time To Transplant A Tree?
As with pruning, the best time of year to repot a tree is when it is dormant in spring or fall. Transplant in autumn before the first frost. the tree begins to sprout.
How do you transplant a tree without killing it?
Tie the branches to the main trunk of the tree so they don’t get in the way when you move the tree. Do this before you move the tree, says This Old House.
You can use soft twine to wrap individual branches or wrap the entire tree in soft netting, a material commonly used to tie up evergreens before shipping.
Conclusion
Transplanting a tree can breathe new life into it, but it can also be stressful. However, with a little patience and time, you can help a tree through the transition by making sure to do all the steps before, during, and after the transplant.
Repotting can be a big shock to trees. If they are not properly cared for and treated during surgery, they can die. When you’re done transplanting, be sure to water the tree frequently, about once a day for a few minutes.
You can also help your tree’s health by keeping pests away with insect repellent. It may take a while for new roots to form, but patience and water will guide this process.
