Now is the Time to Transplant
Have you ever looked at a tree (that wasn’t too massive yet,) a shrub, or plant in your yard and wished it were somewhere else? Keith and I have had the unfortunate experience of doing this MANY times. One time we had this grand idea to plant four fruit trees in the garden, thinking that the fence would keep the deer away…. The deer did stay away, but those fruit trees came out about two years later, after we realized the garden would be way too small with them in it. We also realized that the trees would suck up lots of nutrients from the soil that should be going to the vegetables we plant each year.
We have also planted trees way too close to the house, digging them up a few years later and planting them further out. About three or four years ago, we bought four River Birch trees, of which I love, and we later realized one was right by the drain pipe that is the run off from the gutter! So, this past fall, we dug up a River Birch that is probably close to 15 feet tall. (Above is a picture of this tree!)
My favorite of all tree transplanting is when I find a baby tree in the yard. One very special tree we have was a tiny maple seedling from Keith’s grandmother’s yard. We brought it home and planted it. Now it is huge. She passed away last year, so this tree is all the more special because it came from her.
When we moved here over 15 years ago, we got ten “free” trees from Arbor Day. Two were Redbuds. These two trees are now probably 20 feet tall, and have reseeded. I have transplanted several of these in our yard, of which are now large enough to flower!
It is important to transplant a tree in early spring or late fall when the tree is dormant. Start your digging a decent distance away from the trunk of the tree. The larger the tree, the further away you should start. For the tree above, we likely started about two feet away. Dig a circle around the tree before attempting to start removing dirt under the tree. At times, we have to cut larger roots with a sharp pair of loppers. Try to get a tree you have dug out planted right away.
When transplanting and dividing perennials, from my experience, it is important to make sure the part you are removing has a decent root system. Plants like lavender or savory are more shrubby, with a main stem. They can root however, when a branch is against or under some soil. We have some holly shrubs and lavender plants that have done this very thing. Perennials that I have transplanted earlier in the spring do much better than those I move when the temperature is warmer. The plants I move when it is hot always look terrible and will often die.
Mulching is also important. Put a triple (or more) layer of newspaper under the mulch, which will help the soil around the roots retain moisture as well as keep weeds from growing. No matter what we mulch, we always use newspaper under it. It really helps keep the weeds out for quite a while!
And, last but MOST importantly, water, water, water. Make sure you water the tree once you have it partly covered with dirt, and again once you are finished. For trees, we have found that watering a newly planted tree for its first summer is very beneficial! If it is hot, and dry, your tree will most surely die – without water! (I think Mary would be impressed with my poetry here:-) )
(Thank you Terri for your inspiration!)