Preparing Trees For Their Final Position

There are two reasons why seedling evergreens should be transplanted at least once or twice before being set in their permanent position. First, each time the plant is being moved, it is being root pruned. This gives the plant a short but thick ball of roots rather than long penetrating roots that would make final transplanting hazardous. And second, fresh soil is offered at each transplanting.

Seedlings should be left no longer than four years in the same spot. On an average, plan on transplanting them the third year. This should be done before growth starts in spring, but be careful to wait until the soil has dried off and can be easily worked.

If the soil is heavy and the distance between positions is not too great, the first transplanting can be done by lifting out and carrying each plant to the new spot. Be careful to lose as little soil from around the roots as possible.

At the second transplanting the tree as well as the root ball will be larger.

This will necessitate burlapping the root ball in order to keep the soil intact. Half a burlap sack can be used. After the plant is thoroughly wet down, a spade is plunged in around the plant and the sack is slipped under and around, then tied at the top. In the new position, after untying, the sack can either be left at the bottom of the hole to decay or if the root ball is solid, it can be slipped out and be used again.

After setting the plants in their new positions, water them well and often. Mulch them, too.

Many times it is not convenient to the grower to transplant because of lack of space. In that case root pruning should be carried out by simply thrusting the spade its full depth around the entire plant. Although this will not trim the roots out of reach of the spade, it still will promote a dense root ball and make final moving to the permanent spot easier.

Trees cared for this way should have extra nutrients each year to replenish those which are taken from the soil.

The Final Move

Only the grower can tell when his trees are ready for their final position. If size is not important, a few may be ready in only two or three years. Others may take nursery care three times longer. But remember, caring for evergreens in a row where they can be cultivated and watered all at once at one time is much easier than trying to keep a dozen individual plants watered and free from choking weeds all summer.

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