My Mature Trees & Shrubs Are Wilting After Transplanting
Established trees and shrubs are difficult to transplant because the root system is large and well-developed. Transplanting these plants severs much of the root system, resulting in transplant shock and possible plant death. Deciduous trees and shrubs transplant more readily than evergreens, and young plants more readily than older ones. If you've followed proper transplanting techniques, survival rates are fair, but continue to provide extra care while the shrub or tree establishes new roots. Does this Spark an idea?
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Watering
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Newly planted trees and shrubs lack the root system to access moisture deep in the soil. If the roots dry out, the plants wilt and may eventually die. Water the trees and shrubs well immediately after planting and then every week or two during dry weather for the first summer. Don't overwater, either, which can cause the roots to rot. Dig down 3 to 4 inches beneath the soil near the plant. If the soil feels moist, the tree or shrub has sufficient water. Dry soil indicates a need for more moisture; wet soil means you are watering too much or the soil isn't draining well.
Fertilizing
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Wilting trees and shrubs may seem like they need fertilizer, but this is actually one of the worst things you can do. Adding fertilizer encourages new growth, which adds additional stress to an already traumatized plant or tree. Do not add fertilizer to the planting hole, which can burn the roots, or apply fertilizer to the soil.
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Mulch
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Mulch newly transplanted trees and shrubs with 2 to 3 inches of wood chip mulch. The mulch conserves moisture, regulates soil temperatures and keeps weeds and grass growth down. Do not push the mulch up against the tree, but leave a 3- to 4-inch space bare around the base of the tree.
Planting Tips
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When transplanting established trees, prune the roots one season before moving the plant. Dig a trench 12 to 14 inches deep and 20 inches from the tree trunk. This trench will sever longer roots, encouraging the plant to develop a more compact root system. When you dig up the tree or shrub the following spring or fall, fewer of the roots will be damaged, resulting in a more successful transplant. Move trees and shrubs as soon as the soil is soft enough to work in the spring so roots become well established before summer heat and winter cold. Remove as much of the root ball as possible to reduce transplant shock.
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References
Resources
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