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Transplanting Trees

Tree planting is heavy work

Transplanting larger trees is best left to professionals with a crew of 'strong backs.' Why is that? Because for every one inch of tree trunk diameter, the root ball requires one foot of earth ball diameter. Therefore, a 3-inch caliper tree requires a 36-inch diameter ball, which weighs approximately 1100 lbs. (over half a ton).
  

One inch of trunk diameter should
equal one foot of root ball
  

Root pruning

An important factor in transplanting success is root pruning. Nursery grown trees have often been root pruned during their juvenile years, to condense their root systems into a more compact area, making their transplant more successful. Root systems that have never been root pruned tend to be more widespread, and have more roots left behind when they are dug, decreasing their chance of survival.
  

Nurseries use hydraulic tree spades to dig trees
  

  
When to transplant trees

The most important factor in transplanting trees is moving them at the right time of year. Most deciduous trees are transplanted during their dormant season, when leaves are off the tree, spring or fall.
Fall - Once there are a couple hard freezes (temps below 32-degrees F), leaves are dropping, and the tree is entering dormancy.
Spring - Once deep frost has left the soil, but before the tree breaks bud and begins to leaf out.
  

"Spring only" tree transplants

The old rule of thumb is to only transplant 'fleshy rooted' plants and oaks in the spring. While fall transplants may succeed with special care, below is a list of trees best transplanted in the spring.
  

Watering a transplanted tree

• Water trees thoroughly once a week if there is less than one inch of rainfall per week.*
    
• Water should be applied slowly and repeatedly to give it time to soak in. Move your hose around the base of the tree to completely water all areas of the root zone (moving the hose around is important since water tends to travel straight down).
    
• The best time of day to water is morning. If plant foliage remains wet overnight, it provides an ideal environment for fungi.
    
• Monitor your tree for any signs of water stress such as wilting.
    
• Plants will need more frequent watering when they are actively growing than when they are dormant.
      
• *On occasion, you'll plant trees in hard, compacted clay, usually in new neighborhoods or condominium plans. In this situation, extend your watering intervals to once every two weeks for larger trees, since this kind of planting hole can act like a bathtub, holding water for a long time and suffocating the tree roots.