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Transplanting Guidelines
Sometimes
the cute little evergreen that got planted beside the sidewalk doesn't stay so
little. Either the sidewalk gets
detoured or the plant moves. Before
trying to tackle the task you need to view your options.
Transplanting
Sometimes
it becomes necessary to move a plant in the landscape.
Transplanting is a difficult process, and under many conditions it puts
the plant under high risk of death or damage.
Is
It Worthwhile?
This is a good question to start with.
First, if you attempt to move a plant during the wrong season the
likelihood of its survival is low. Second,
moving an existing plant might cost more than simply replacing the plant.
Third, some plants are harder to move than others.
After weighing these factors, and possibly getting a professional
opinion, you should have a pretty good idea whether or not transplanting is a
good move.
Materials
The materials needed will depend on the size of
your plant. A small plant will only
require a shovel and piece of burlap. Larger
plants will require heavy string and a means of transporting the plant.
If plants are going to be dug outside of the optimal season the use of an
anti-shock treatment is beneficial.
The Process
Doing
some pre-transplant pruning is very helpful, yet this requires advance notice.
Six months to a year before the scheduled transplant, cut (or prune) the
roots of the plant in the shape of the desired rootball.
This will encourage the development of fibrous roots close to the plant,
and lessen the shock of the subtending transplant.
Removing a portion of the plant's canopy at the same time will ease the
stress placed on the plant.
At the time of transplanting, tie up the canopy
of the plant to protect it from damage. Dig
a trench around the plant, leaving eighteen inches of rootball diameter for
every inch of trunk caliper. Dig
down approximately twenty-four inches before cutting underneath the plant.
The rootball should be wrapped in burlap to protect it from breaking
apart. Large plants should also
have heavy string reinforcing the burlap and holding the trunk to prevent
shifting.
Notes
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A twenty-four
inch rootball will weigh close to two hundred pounds.
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As a general rule, plants should be transplanted in their dormant season.
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After undergoing transplanting a plant will need to be carefully watered.
- Plants with taproots are nearly impossible to
transplant.
Sources
This sheet has been compiled from experience,
information from Rodale's Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, and information
from the Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist Reference Guide
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