Tree Transplanting

Big Trees understands that construction schedules and moving times do not always coincide with the best time to transplant trees.  Ideally trees are transplanted when they are dormant.  This is the period after the leaves drop in fall and before the spring growth begins.  However, not to worry if you missed the ideal transplant time because with 25 years of transplanting experience we have developed a method that allows for successful summer transplants. 

We are able to transplant trees in the summer with additional steps and treatments.   The aim of antitranspirant and antidesiccant treatment applications are to reduce the water loss, and stress associated with water loss, of trees during the transplant process. 

Just what are antidesiccants and antitranspirants?  The dictionary gives two different meanings for ‘desiccant’ and ‘transpire’.  Desiccation means to ‘dry or dehydrate’, where transpiration means to ‘pass through pores or membranes.’  In the horticultural world an antidesiccant would be a substance used to stop dehydration in plants and an antitranspirant would be a substance that stops the loss of water from leaves.  In the horticultural world both terms can be interchanged.  For simplicity let’s just use antitranspirant from here on out.

Here is a brief introduction on tree biology which may help you understand how antitranspirants work.  The evaporation of water from plants is called transpiration, and almost all transpiration occurs through leaf openings called stomata.  Water is literally pulled to the tops of the trees by transpiration. Transpiration aids plants in mineral and water absorption, and it is necessary for the plant process of photosynthesis, which is critical for tree growth and ultimately the well being of the plant.

Plants control the size of the leaf openings (stomata) based on external environmental conditions and internal chemical triggers.  Transpiration is at its highest when light is available, the temperature is high, the humidity is low, there is a slight breeze and adequate water is available.  If water is unavailable during high periods of transpiration the leaves of the tree wilt because water is lost through leaf openings faster than it is being absorbed. 

Big Trees applies antitranspirants as a root soak and as a foliar spray.  The foliar spray is a clear liquid coating that forms a shield over the leaf surface.  This shield works as a physical barrier that aids in the prevention of water loss from the stomata.    The foliar spray can significantly reduce plant stress associated with water loss during the transplant period. The foliar spray also provides protection against insect damage, UV degradation and windburn.

The root soak is applied as a soil drench which can then be absorbed into the tree’s root system.  It is best absorbed into the root system when the soil is already partially moist.  Through transpiration the root soak is moved from the roots through the canopy of the tree.  The root soak contains Abscisic acid (know as ABA).  ABA works as a natural chemical trigger. As ABA is moved through the tissue of the tree it deactivates transpiration by triggering the leaf stomata to close.  The plant reduces its transpiration naturally. 

Both the root soak and the foliar spray work together to make summer transplant possible.  They should be applied at least 24 hours prior to the dig.  The effects of both applications can last up to three weeks.  The root soak and the foliar spray come as concentrates which are diluted with water before they are used.  They are easy to apply, they are environmentally friendly and completely safe, and best yet they produce excellent results.

Transplants from nearly 3,500 years ago include trees used for incense.  In a scene at Deir el Bahri, men carry a myrrh tree to Egyptian ships in Punt, a land still not clearly identified. Hatshepsut sent a trading mission down the Red Sea to procure luxuries there in about 1470 B.C.

Don’t go dormant with your garden in the fall. Ideally it is the time to transplant your trees. Timing is one of the important considerations when you are planning a tree transplant. It is easier to transplant trees and shrubs when they are dormant. This is the period after the leaves turn in fall and before the spring growth begins. However, not to worry if you missed the ideal time because it is possible to transplant trees during the growing season with additional steps and treatments.

Everyone is aware the many benefits of trees, and there is recognizable value in retaining large trees in the landscape through transplanting. It’s the idea that if you already own a valuable asset, by all means keep it. The value on your home increases with a mature landscape, especially with specimen trees. Typically, the cost of replacing a tree rather than transplanting that particular tree, is anywhere from two to ten times the transplant cost.

The success of transplants depends on the tree species, the health of the tree prior to the transplant, the characteristics of the new planting site, the amount of post transplant care and of course the method of transplanting itself. The size of tree that can be relocated is limited only by ability and financial resources.

With twenty years of experience Big Trees, Inc. has developed careful transplanting techniques that lead to a 98% survivability rate of small to large specimen size trees. Transplanting trees is more skill and art rather than brute force. Experienced crews use specialized tools and careful techniques to ensure that each tree is dug properly. Root balls often appear shallow but this is because the majority of a tree’s root system responsible for supplying water and nutrients lies within the first few feet of soil.

Transplant aftercare is important when determining the success of a transplant. A transplanted tree has lost significant root mass and will require additional watering and fertilizer during the first and second growing season. Adding a two to four inch layer of organic mulch is also beneficial. Mulch reduces water loss, increases water absorption, lessens temperature fluctuations and adds nutrients to the soil. Just be sure to pull the mulch layer away at least six inches from the base of the trunk. When mulch is pilled against the trunk rot can occur.

If you have questions about transplanting please contact Big Trees, Inc. Our staff of knowledgeable horticulturalists can determine the likelihood of a successful transplant.