Q. What are the proper measures when transplanting a
mature 10-15 foot (3.3-5 m) tall pomegranate tree. Once transplanted, what to do that
betters the chances of a successful transplant?
A. In a few words, take as much of the roots with it when
you move it. That is tough to do by hand and rough on the tree regardless. Use a
backhoe or, better yet, a hydraulically operated tree spade. There are a couple
of arborists in Las Vegas who own tree spades who could do it for you. A tree
spade is by far the best way to move a larger tree.
you move it. That is tough to do by hand and rough on the tree regardless. Use a
backhoe or, better yet, a hydraulically operated tree spade. There are a couple
of arborists in Las Vegas who own tree spades who could do it for you. A tree
spade is by far the best way to move a larger tree.
Digging
it up and moving it by hand is difficult unless it has been on drip irrigation
or prepared for this move one year in advance. A successful transplanting moves
as much of the roots as possible to its new location and at the right time of
year.
it up and moving it by hand is difficult unless it has been on drip irrigation
or prepared for this move one year in advance. A successful transplanting moves
as much of the roots as possible to its new location and at the right time of
year.
Now,
December through February, is the right time of year. Drip irrigation keeps tree
roots closer to the trunk. With rainfall, or a landscape irrigated by
sprinklers, tree roots spread wherever there is water up to twice the height of
the tree.
December through February, is the right time of year. Drip irrigation keeps tree
roots closer to the trunk. With rainfall, or a landscape irrigated by
sprinklers, tree roots spread wherever there is water up to twice the height of
the tree.
This
means a 10-foot tree might, ideally, spread its roots 20 feet from its trunk. Unfortunately,
the most important roots to transplant with the tree are roots growing at the outer
half of its root spread. That’s not possible.
means a 10-foot tree might, ideally, spread its roots 20 feet from its trunk. Unfortunately,
the most important roots to transplant with the tree are roots growing at the outer
half of its root spread. That’s not possible.
Older
trees on drip irrigation, or irrigated with a depression around the trunk, have
a better chance of survival because more of their roots are close to the trunk.
You may not have many options open to you so let’s cover what to do, worst-case
scenario.
trees on drip irrigation, or irrigated with a depression around the trunk, have
a better chance of survival because more of their roots are close to the trunk.
You may not have many options open to you so let’s cover what to do, worst-case
scenario.
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| Reducing canopy size for transplanting. Taken from LE Cook at http://www.lecooke.com/cms/tree-care/care-of-bareroot/358.html |
First,
cut the limbs back so they are three or four feet tall. You must remove at least 1/3 of the tree’s
canopy when transplanting. Next, dig a vertical trench around the entire tree
deep enough to sever all the roots in the top 18 to 24 inches. This trench
should be at least 2 feet from the trunk.
cut the limbs back so they are three or four feet tall. You must remove at least 1/3 of the tree’s
canopy when transplanting. Next, dig a vertical trench around the entire tree
deep enough to sever all the roots in the top 18 to 24 inches. This trench
should be at least 2 feet from the trunk.
Dig the
new hole for the tree. Dig it twice the width of the trenched hole and about 6
inches deeper. Mix compost with soil taken from the new hole. Use this soil mix
when replanting the tree. I am not a huge fan of the product but add Super
Thrive to the backfill. It’s relatively cheap insurance.
new hole for the tree. Dig it twice the width of the trenched hole and about 6
inches deeper. Mix compost with soil taken from the new hole. Use this soil mix
when replanting the tree. I am not a huge fan of the product but add Super
Thrive to the backfill. It’s relatively cheap insurance.
Undercut
the trenched tree so it moves freely back and forth. It would be perfect if all
the soil attached to the roots was moved with the tree. But most of the soil
will fall free from the roots in when it is moved. Not perfect but it’s okay.
the trenched tree so it moves freely back and forth. It would be perfect if all
the soil attached to the roots was moved with the tree. But most of the soil
will fall free from the roots in when it is moved. Not perfect but it’s okay.
Lift the
tree from the hole and cut any remaining roots with pruning shears (best) or
very sharp shovel. If most of the soil fell from the roots during the
transplant, get the tree into its new hole a watered as quickly as possible. Minutes
of delay could prove important in the speed of its recovery.
tree from the hole and cut any remaining roots with pruning shears (best) or
very sharp shovel. If most of the soil fell from the roots during the
transplant, get the tree into its new hole a watered as quickly as possible. Minutes
of delay could prove important in the speed of its recovery.
Begin backfilling around the roots with
the soil mix you created and water from a hose at the same time. The soil
should be a slurry and fill all of voids around the roots. Filling these soil
voids is important.
the soil mix you created and water from a hose at the same time. The soil
should be a slurry and fill all of voids around the roots. Filling these soil
voids is important.
Equally
important is to stake this tree so it’s roots are immobilized for one growing
season. Construct a basin around the tree at least four inches deep and on top
of the new hole. Fill this basin after transplanting three times over a period
of 1 to 3 days. A good job results in a transplant planted solidly in the
ground.
important is to stake this tree so it’s roots are immobilized for one growing
season. Construct a basin around the tree at least four inches deep and on top
of the new hole. Fill this basin after transplanting three times over a period
of 1 to 3 days. A good job results in a transplant planted solidly in the
ground.
Water
once a week, filling the basin, for the first month. After the first month,
water it as you would normally or as needed.
once a week, filling the basin, for the first month. After the first month,
water it as you would normally or as needed.