Top Tree LLC is your best choice for all things “tree maintenance” in Burbank. Whether you’re looking for help with trimming trees, any kind of maintenance, or anything else related the trees in your yard, we can be your best resource.

Methods for root pruning vary. One method called spading involves cutting through the existing roots with a spade, making a circular cut all the way around the plant. The edge of this cut should be just inside the edge of the future root ball. Spading works best for small plants or plants that have not been in the old site for a long time.

Another method called trenching involves digging a trench around the plant and refilling the trench where the new feeder roots with develop with soil high in organic matter. Trenching is more appropriate for plants that have been located in the old site for several years or more. Trenching techniques also vary, depending on plant size. Trenching can be done all the way around the plant or only part of the way around the plant, followed by further trenching later in the season.

To root prune using trenching, dig a trench 8 to 12 inches wide or wider, 12 inches deeper or deeper with the outer edge of the trench corresponding to the outer edge of the future root ball. Next, fill the trench with soil high in organic matter, made by mixing two parts topsoil with one part compost. If conditions are good, the plant will grow new feeder roots in the trench of rich soil by transplanting time. These feeder roots will give the tree added ability to withstand transplant shock. Be sure to move as many of these new, young roots as you can when you move the plant. Before digging the root ball for transplanting, check to see if a good net of fibrous roots has developed. If few roots are found in the trench, you should consider postponing the move for another year. In addition, when you do decide to move the plant, digging a root ball larger than originally planned may assure that all of the new roots go with it.

We look forward to being your first call when it comes to tree maintenance in Burbank. Don’t hesitate calling us to ask us what you think are the smallest questions. We can’t wait to help you and have the chance to earn your business.

Top Tree LLC is your best choice for all things “tree maintenance” in Benton City. Whether you’re looking for help with trimming trees, any kind of maintenance, or anything else related the trees in your yard, we can be your best resource.

Site Evaluation
To increase your chances of success, evaluate the suitability of the new planting site by checking the growing conditions, including light levels, soil pH, drainage, and exposure. In other words, assume you are selecting a new plant for the new site and ask the question “do the conditions at the site meet the growing requirements of the plant?” If it does not appear that your plant will survive and thrive in that site you should reconsider moving it there.

Root Pruning
Transplanting established trees and shrubs is somewhat risky because you will damage many of the feeder roots during the transplanting process. Feeder roots are responsible for absorbing the majority of essential nutrients and water. To minimize the shock to the plant, we recommend root pruning several months to one year in advance of the move, depending on the size and type of the plant.

Pruning the roots will encourage the plant to produce a flush of new feeder roots. The goal is to allow the plant to develop new feeder roots within the zone of the future root ball that will be moved. This will reduce the amount of transplant shock the plant experiences. Before root pruning you should consider the size of the root ball that will be moved. Minimum root ball sizes for specific plant sizes are shown in Table 1. The greater the root ball diameter, the more roots will be included in the move. Also remember that bigger root balls weigh more. Consider how the plant will be lifted and moved. Ball carts, wagons, tarps, or thick folded cardboard can be helpful in transporting the dug plant to its new location.

Please continue reading about transplanting trees in our next post….

We look forward to being your first call when it comes to tree maintenance in Benton City. Don’t hesitate calling us to ask us what you think are the smallest questions. We can’t wait to help you and have the chance to earn your business.

Top Tree LLC is your best choice for all things “tree maintenance” in Pasco. Whether you’re looking for help with trimming trees, any kind of maintenance, or anything else related the trees in your yard, we can be your best resource.

Best Time to Transplant and Other Tips

When should you do your transplanting? For most trees and shrubs, late winter or early spring are the best times for transplanting; fall would be the second best time (for further information, please see When to Plant Trees). In summer, it is not advisable (too hot). In the dead of winter, it is almost impossible (in the North) — unless you have done all of your digging ahead of time (before the ground freezes).

How long will this transplanting project take? That will depend greatly on the circumstances. To dig a mature tree or shrub out of rocky soil (especially in cramped quarters) is back-breaking work. How long it takes you will largely depend on your health and on how much you are willing to push yourself.

The foregoing instructions pertain to shrub and tree transplanting that involves digging, moving, and re-planting a root-ball. This is how you would normally transplant stock growing on your own property. However, when you buy plants from nurseries to plant in your yard, there will be some differences in the operation. Some nursery plants are balled and burlapped. Others are sold bare-root, the proper transplanting method for which is discussed in this article on growing roses. Still others are sold in containers; for these, be sure to tease the root-ball upon removal from the pot if there is any sign it has become root-bound.

Please continue reading about transplanting trees in our next post….

We look forward to being your first call when it comes to tree maintenance in Pasco. Don’t hesitate calling us to ask us what you think are the smallest questions. We can’t wait to help you and have the chance to earn your business.