How to Transplant Pin Oak Trees
Pin oak (Quercus palustris), a deciduous tree from the beech family, is one of the most popular ornamental trees in the Midwest and eastern United States. The pin oak's fibrous root system makes it easy to transplant, and thereby inexpensive to propagate.
Native to North America, the pin oak is a disease-resistant shade tree, hardy in zones 4 through 8. Pin oak trees reach a height of 50 to 75 feet with a symmetrical canopy spread of up to 40 feet. They tolerate hot summer sun and cold winter winds, acclimatizing to most soil conditions.
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Instructions
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Moving the Pin Oak
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Dig up the pin oak trees to be transplanted very carefully. Remove the soil from 2 to 3 feet around the base of the young tree. Be cautious not to damage the root mass.
Keep a generous quantity of the native soil to add to the transplant location. -
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Put the tree in a large bucket or container and soak the roots with water.
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Choose an open, sunny location to plant your pin oak tree. Be aware of property boundaries, utility lines and pipes, building foundations and roadways. Consider the size of the tree at maturity and allot landscape space accordingly.
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Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the root mass of the tree you are planting.
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Fill the hole with water and allow it to settle and drain.
Planting the Pin Oak
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Sift through the soil removed from the hole, removing twigs, rocks and weeds. To this mixture, add equal parts of the soil removed from the transport location, organic compost and leaf mulch. Mix thoroughly.
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Place the tree in the hole to a depth that it was growing previously. This depth can be determined by examining the stem of the tree. Make sure the tree is aligned straight vertically and centered in the hole.
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Fill 1/3 of the depth of the hole with the soil mixture. Gently tamp down the soil to eliminate air pockets around the roots. Add water to the soil, than allow the water to again settle and drain from the hole.
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Add the soil mixture until the hole is filled. Tamp the soil down and add more water. Allow the water to settle and drain.
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Cover the area with a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded newspaper, torn strips of cardboard or aged sawdust. Top dress the area with pine bark, mulch or decorative rock.
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Tips & Warnings
Plant trees in spring or fall, not in the heat of the summer sun.
Water frequently. Pin oak trees love moisture. Although they are hardy and can survive periods of drought, they will flourish with adequate moisture.
