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 Transplanting
Shrubs and Trees
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Transplanting Shrubs
and Trees
It may seem the fall gardening season
is coming to an end, but you're not finished until you tend
to your larger landscape greenery. Most shrubs, trees and
evergreens benefit from transplantation now because they receive
two seasons of root growth before next summer's heat.
Evergreens:
Although spring is the best time to plant new evergreen shrubs,
fall is a great time to transplant established ones.
- Prepare the planting hole in advance
of the move - then put the evergreen in place.
- Steady the transplant with a stake
if needed.
- Back fill with original soil mixed
with peat moss.
- Water thoroughly.
Evergreens don't require much pruning
because of their symmetrical growth pattern, but injured or
diseased branches should be cut away in the fall. To maintain
symmetry and encourage denser foliage, use pruning or hedge
shears to get the desired shape and size. Prune evergreens
along natural growth patterns when possible.
Shrubs and trees:
Most shrubs, young trees and hedges thrive when planted or
transplanted in fall, although a few exceptions like Birch,
Dogwood and Magnolia do better when planted in spring.
Nurseries and garden centers usually
offer good sales to gardeners at this time of year.
Take advantage of sale plants, but check to see if they are
healthy and not pot-bound. To solve this problem, simply cut
an X in the underside of the root ball, then prune the unhealthy
roots.
- Select a well-drained site with
proper amounts of sunlight before transplanting or planting
shrubs and trees.
- Dig a hole 3 times wider than the
root ball or container - the hole should be no deeper than
the depth of soil in the container.
- Carefully set root ball into hole
and back fill with original soil. Do not add any organic
matter to backfill, so the new transplant can adapt more
quickly to its surrounding native soil.
- Water newly planted shrubs or trees
more than usual - especially during the first critical weeks.
- Keep an eye on your transplanted
tree or shrub, making sure it receives plenty of moisture.
Plan on long, deep watering sessions during fall and early
winter. Adding mulch also helps prevent water evaporation
during fall and winter months.
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