Factors to Consider in Relocating Large Trees

Trees play a crucial part in your home’s landscaping plan as they provide shade, fresh air, and natural beauty in your yard. However, when a tree is planted in the wrong spot, it needs to be relocated to an appropriate place.

Relocation enables you to redesign your landscape while preserving the life of the tree. Since a large, mature tree is deeply rooted in the earth, there are different factors to consider for tree moving.

Guidelines to Ensure Safe Tree Transplantation

Instead of waiting for a seedling to grow, transplanting large trees to the right spot in your yard provides immediate shade and ensures a better focal point. If you need to relocate a large, mature tree, here are some helpful guidelines to help preserve the tree:

When to Transplant a Tree

Transplant trees when they are dormant

Every day is not an ideal time to relocate a tree. The best time to transplant trees is when they are dormant in spring (before the trees start sprouting) or fall (before the first frost).

All year, the root system provides the tree’s canopy with water through its branches. Digging and transplanting a tree with a full canopy means cutting its water supply. Transplanting causes shock to the tree, which affects its growth in its new home.

On the other side, dormant trees do not depend too much on their water source since they no longer have leaves. Moving trees in their dormant stage allows the roots to re-establish and fortify themselves with nutrients before the next growing season.

Whatever type of tree you are planning to transplant, it should be done during the fall or spring time frame.

  • Transplant pine trees during early fall.
  • Oak trees in early spring, particularly during February or March.
  • Since Maple trees keep growing well into fall, transplant them in late fall when the canopy becomes bare.
  • Transplant fruit trees in early spring prior to the growing season.

Never transplant a tree during winter even when it is dormant. This causes significant root damage since the soil is frosted. Additionally, the frozen ground makes the whole process difficult for tree transplanting.

Choosing New Home

Consider the tree’s size, height, and sun requirements

Make sure to consider the species of the tree beforehand. The tree size and species is an important factor to consider when finding the right location. Trees have unique requirements of levels of shade and sun, as well as the soil drainage conditions. The height and size of the tree should not affect the foundation of your home, power lines, and underground utilities.

Root Pruning

It is important to learn the proper way to prune roots before you start digging. The tree roots need to be trimmed for 6 months before the transplantation process. Root pruning stimulates the growth of new roots near the tree, within the rootball area. If you are planning to transplant a deciduous tree, never prune its roots until it is dormant and has lost its leaves.

Talk to a professional tree arborist to help you determine the rootball size of the tree. Dig a trench around the tree based on the size of the root size. Tie the lowest branches to prevent damage during digging. Use a sharp-edged spade to cut through the roots below the trench. Put back the soil in the trench and water the area once you’re done. Untie the branches after digging a hole.

Underground Space

Dig a hole that’s deep and wide enough

If you are wondering how big the hole you should dig for the new tree location, measure the diameter of the trunk about 12 inches from the ground. Take, for example, the diameter measures 8 inches or more. The root ball must be about 10 to 12 inches wide per inch of trunk diameter. If the tree is 12 inches in diameter at the base, dig a hole about 10 to 12 feet wide to preserve the roots and give them enough room to grow.

Storage

In some cases, the tree cannot be replanted immediately after removal. The root ball needs to be boxed, stored, and watered somewhere else to protect it from damage. You would be surprised to learn that it is better to store the tree for 6 months or more than removing, storing it for several weeks or months and then replanting it. Large, mature trees lose a significant portion of their roots during removal, making it hard to recuperate after transplantation. The longer storage period allows the tree to develop and grow new feeder roots.

Transplanting

Transplanting trees help preserve their life

After preparing and digging the hole in the new location, soak the root ball before the tree moving. Dig the soil carefully from the root ball. Use an untreated natural burlap to wrap the ball to prevent rot and restricted growth. Use a large upholstery needle to lash the burlap together to keep the root ball intact. Stitch the burlap securely around the root ball with an untreated natural twine. When moving the tree, make sure to keep the ball intact to prevent the roots from breaking, which could lead to the death of the tree. After setting the tree into the hole, fill in around the roots with topsoil. Apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch. Make sure it does not come in contact with the trunk or stems. Water it regularly throughout the entire next growing season.

Aftercare Tips

Staking is crucial after transplanting a large tree

  • Use 3 to 5 stakes. The rope or line should not touch the tree to prevent cutting into the bark. Insert the rope into a section of a garden hose to create a cushion between the bark and the rope. Drive the stakes firmly into solid ground. Remove them after a year.
  • Also, never fertilize newly transplanted trees as it will encourage unwanted new growth. Fertilize them after one year.

The newly relocated tree may not appear as it was before the transplant. Some branches may lose their vitality or do not survive due to transplant shock. However, a company specializing in tree relocation service will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a successful tree transplant. Some transplanted trees may take several months, even years to fully bounce back after being relocated. Expect that the tree may not immediately generate new growth and show significant aesthetic changes until it settles in its new home.

If you are looking for a trusted, full-service tree care company that offers excellent work and service, turn to Great Northern ReGreenery. Our solid reputation for ensuring successful tree relocation and preservation. Allison, Barrie, Bradford, Newmarket, and Aurora clients can rely on our safe and reliable tree care and tree removal services.

Call us today at (905) 775-7444 or 1-877-775-7444 to request a free estimate.