Transplanting trees and shrubs

The first step

When you first moved into your new house, you had plans to make the yard more inviting with the help of a few trees and some small shrubs. The process of settling in, coupled with your already busy schedule, distracted you from beautifying your yard. Now it seems like it is now or never to tackle this project and never is not one of the options even though it's on the list. One common way to kick start the landscape renovation is by transplanting trees and shrubs into the yard. The procedure isn't as easy as it appears at first, but with the proper knowledge and execution, you can finally make your yard a lawn.

Have your sights set

Prior to transplanting, have a plan of when, where, and how you'll be transplanting the trees and shrubs. The general concept seems easy enough; however, unseen difficulties exist below the surface both figuratively and literally. Your plan doesn't need to be too elaborate, no surveying or blueprints, but it wouldn't be wise or advisable to attempt transplanting without some sort of a plan. A few factors you'll want to consider before transplanting trees and shrubs are transplant success, the right season, the right location, and the digging and planting process.

Transplant success

A significant evaluation of whether the plant or shrub will successfully transplant is the initial step. Transplanting is stressful process for trees and shrubs sometimes causing death. Shrubs and trees already declining in health tend to succumb to transplantation stress. The best bet for successful transplanting is young nursery-grown plants. Shrubs have a better transplant tolerance than trees, deciduous plants better than evergreens, shallow rooted species better than deep rooted species, and younger plants better than older plants.

The right season

Determining what season is the right season to transplant trees and shrubs depends on the climate of the area where you live. If the ground freezes in your climate, don't plan on transplanting during this time. The best time for transplanting trees and shrubs is in the spring before the buds on the tree or shrub begin to swell and after the spring thaw. If you missed the spring deadline, transplant after the leaves fall in autumn.

The right spot

Location is not only important for businesses. It plays an enormous roll in the success of your transplanted trees and shrubs. You should only transplant a tree or shrub to areas where light, moisture, soil, and wing exposure are appropriate for the specific species. Every plant requires space for root and crown growth. Take the projected mature size of the tree or shrub into consideration when transplanting.

Digging, transporting, and planting, oh my

The roots of the transplanted tree or shrub are very important. During the digging and transporting process, the roots should never become dry. Make sure to water the area two to three days before digging. Most shrub species require a root ball diameter of about two-thirds of the branch spread. The soil ball for trees should be a minimum of 12 inches for each inch of trunk diameter. Cover a root ball with damp material which will retain moisture (burlap, peat moss, canvas, plastic, etc.) until planting. Proper planting holes are important in tree survival. Holes should be two to three times wider than the root ball. Prewater holes before planting in dry soils and then plant at the same depth that the tree or shrub was growing in its previous location.