Transplanting a small tree

Sunday, November 2, 2014

References

Blerick Tree Farm (2014)
http://bit.ly/1t4Dot2 Visited October 28, 2014

Lowes (2014) Visited October 13, 2014
http://www.lowes.com/cd_Transplant+Mature+Trees+and+Shrubs_674265371_

Nix, S (2014) Visited October 13, 2014
http://forestry.about.com/od/arboriculture/ht/transplant.htm

YouTube (2014) Visited October 21,24,28, 2014

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Timing

Trench around the plant 6-12 months before moving
Trench around the drip zone of the tree
Dig to the depth of the roots (depending on topsoil depth)
Backfill the trench with a friable soil mix. A mix of soil, soil conditioner, compost and sand.
Leave the plant to recover before moving
New feeder roots will establish in the soil mix
Either in late autumn or winter, transplant the tree.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Reasons for transplanting

Trees may have been planted too close together
Trees may have outgrown the available space
To prevent the loss of a tree due to construction works
To create space for building additions
To alter the design of a landscape
To relocate the tree to a site better suited to its needs
To create an instant affect in the landscape
To create a mature landscape

Work, health and safety issues

Protection from the sun
Wear PPE: covered footwear, gloves optional, day glo vest
Beware of sharp implements like mattocks and secateurs
Lift heavy objects carefully
Use wheelbarrow or crane to carry tree

Preparing the planting site

Prepare the new site before removing the plant from the old site
Make sure the planting hole is big enough to take the root ball
Make sure the root crown is at the same height as it was before
Make sure it is possible to orient the plant the same way, facing north.
It is impossible to transplant a plant without cutting or breaking some of the roots.
Root material is sacrificed when transplanting which ultimately places the plant under stree
Deep or tap rooted plants resent moving
Young plants move easily
Plants with fibrous root systems move easily
Trees with rapidly developing root systems move successfully
Plants with brittle root systems need more care

Preparing the tree

Leave the plant to recover before moving
New feeder roots will establish in the soil mix
Either in late autumn or winter, transplant the tree.

Transplanting: lifting and moving the tree

When transplanting small trees ensure that the tree to be transplanted has a healthy root ball.
The root ball is protected and kept moist
The tree and the root ball must be manageable in size