| After walking through a forest, have you ever | | | | and fibrous root system. |
| wished that you could capture and feature the | | | | After the tree has been carefully dug from its |
| majestic beauty of these large trees in you home | | | | original location, it is critical that extreme care is |
| environment? Amazingly, through the use of | | | | taken to prevent root death. Make sure that |
| carefully executed transplanting techniques, fully | | | | roots are kept moist as they are easily damaged |
| grown trees of almost any specie or size can be | | | | under conditions of high temperature and low |
| successfully integrated into the residential or | | | | humidity. Put simply, "a dry root is a dead root". |
| commercial landscape. | | | | When transporting large trees long distances, it is |
| While choosing a suitable location for your new | | | | important that the mover be aware of size and |
| transplant is very key to its survival, the future | | | | weight limits which roads and bridges will |
| health, beauty and utility of the tree is also greatly | | | | withstand. Also, precautions must be taken to |
| influenced by how it is dug, transported, planted | | | | avoid drying of foliage by misting the tree and |
| and maintained. | | | | securely covering it with tarps to minimize air |
| Ron Byleckie, a veteran of mature tree | | | | movement during transport. |
| transplanting with over 20 years experience | | | | Also, consider the logistics of moving the tree to |
| explained, "A tree typically loses up to 90% of its | | | | the new planting site: will power lines, septic tanks |
| root system in the transplantation process. As a | | | | or your property be a risk? |
| result, trees are diminished in their capacity to | | | | 5. Thoroughly prepare the new site for planting. |
| uptake the water and nutrients they need to | | | | There are three key factors to consider in |
| survive. In order to minimize transplant shock, the | | | | preparing the site: soil quality, depth and drainage. |
| tree must be placed in intensive care, before, | | | | It is very important that the soil is of adequate |
| during and after transplanting." When moving a | | | | quality or the tree will not receive the nutrients, |
| mature tree, Mr. Byleckie recommends the | | | | soil microbia and other elements it require to live. |
| following guidelines for success: | | | | The depth of planting must be close to the original |
| 1. Assess the tree's transplantability. Some trees | | | | so that the soil level at the base of the trunk is |
| can be moved more successfully than others | | | | level or slightly above (3-6 inches) with the |
| depending on their species, size, health as well as | | | | surrounding soil surface. If the tree is set too |
| its former and future habitat. A professional | | | | deeply it will not thrive because feeder roots |
| arborist should be consulted to verify that these | | | | must be able to receive oxygen. It is also |
| conditions are favorable for transplanting. | | | | important to improve aeration in unamended |
| 2.Make sure the rootball is the right size. Trees | | | | backfill by breaking up clods and gradually adding |
| should be "10" of root ball per inch of caliper (i.e. a | | | | this soil into the hole. |
| 7" caliper tree requires a 70" rootball) to survive | | | | 6. Provide intensive post-planting care. Newly |
| and thrive. | | | | planted trees need to be maintained to ensure |
| 3. Find a reliable, experienced tree mover. Moving | | | | the success of their relocation. Depending on the |
| a large mature tree is a skill which requires the | | | | strength and health of the tree, it may need to |
| proper equipment, expertise and care. If you do | | | | be artificially supported and pruned. However, all |
| not know a tree mover, contact your local | | | | new transplants should be watered and mulched |
| cooperative extension agent, nursery or | | | | immediately; then fertilized at the end of the first |
| professional tree care company for a referral. | | | | growing season (depending on soil conditions). It is |
| 4. Carefully prepare trees for transplanting. Trees | | | | also important to implement a plant health care |
| which have never been moved from their natural | | | | program to monitor the tree and treat insects |
| growing environment tend to have asymmetric | | | | and diseases. |
| root systems because they grow with the | | | | Since mature tree transplanting can be an |
| irregularities of the surrounding topography. If the | | | | expensive venture, it is wise to consult with a |
| tree is not nursery grown, root pruning should be | | | | professional arborist and obtain a recommendation |
| performed up to one year prior to transplanting | | | | before proceeding. |
| to encourage the development of a more dense | | | | |