Tips for Transplanting Trees and Shrubs

Tips for Transplanting Trees and Shrubs Related Information:

Being transplanted can be quite distressing for trees and shrubs, and it is therefore important that all gardeners follow basic guidelines with regards to this process. Transplanting by the book will put minimal trauma on your plants, and will ensure that your trees and shrubs remain healthy – or even improve in health.

The first thing to remember is that you should always transplant your trees and shrubs when they are dormant, as this will not traumatise them. This is usually from the onset of the colder autumn weather to the emergence of the warmer spring weather. Once spring comes around, and the plants begin to develop leaves you should put any thoughts of transplanting them out of your head until the following autumn comes around again. In summary, you should transplant between the colder autumn weather and the warmer spring weather, as long as the plant is still dormant. If leaves have started to develop, leave well alone.

Your plants should be dug out with caution, and you must try and keep them out of the ground for as little time as possible. Also, whilst your plants are out of the ground, you should keep the roots damp to stop them from drying out and causing unnecessary damage. You can help to keep the roots nourished whilst the plant is out of the ground by ensuring that the roots are still encased in a ball of soil when you dig them up.

Transplanting plants is also the perfect time to do some root pruning, and providing this is done properly it can really help to improve the quality of your plants. Don’t cit the roots too short, just a modest trim and tidy is sufficient. This will enable the plant to take in more nourishment and enrichment from the soil when it is re-planted, giving it scope to really improve in terms of quality. It is definitely worth doing this with plants that show signs of ill health or poor quality, as this could give the plant a new lease of life. This will also help to promote safer transplanting of the plant in future years. If you feel it necessary, you could also add a root stimulator when re-planting.

One thing to be cautious of is re-planting in an area that is dramatically different to where the plant originally was in terms of soil and temperature. If the plant has been thriving in its pervious spot, then it is best to look for a new location that is similar in temperature (e.g. gets the same amount of sun, is in or out of the shade as much as the old spot etc.). This will help to ensure that the plant continues to thrive.