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February is one of the best times for transplanting
Richard Evans
Richard Evans is Extension agent for Bryan County. - photo by File photo

Some of the most common questions I get year-round revolve around transplanting trees, shrubs or other plants. I’m sure many of you have found that over the years a tree or shrub has outgrown the location initially planned for it. Many times that leads us to think of pruning immediately so the tree better fits the location.

While pruning is a good option, and a necessary one at times, it need not be your only option. Lets talk about transplanting, it could be just the answer you were looking for.

The first question I always get, “When is the best time to transplant?”

Winter is a great time to transplant, as is the Fall.

As it happens February is one of the best times of the year - maybe the best time - to move those plants.

If you transplant properly, there is no reason the plant shouldn’t survive and thrive in a new spot in the yard.

Thus, you’ll still be able to enjoy them in the landscape. And you’ll be able to put smaller, more appropriate plants in the places the big shrubs have overgrown.

Try to avoid transplanting during extremely hot/dry weather though, the transplant shock a plant goes through is much harder to combat when just keeping the plant hydrated is a struggle.

Before digging the plant, tie up the branches. Mark a branch that faces north so the plant can be properly oriented when planted.

Also, mark the trunk where it meets the soil.

When replanting, make sure you plant so that this mark is an inch above the soil line of the planting hole. The plant is now ready to be transplanted.

Shrubs less than 3 feet tall and deciduous trees less than an inch in trunk diameter (measured 6 inches above the ground) may be moved bareroot.

“Bareroot” means that most or all of the soil is removed from the roots after digging the plant.

You can more easily handle a larger root system with the bareroot method than if you dig a plant with a ball of soil around the roots. Bareroot plants should be planted while they are dormant.

The latest research indicates that you don’t need to severely cut back the tops of shrubs when you move them. They will need a good canopy of leaves to manufacture food to help rebuild their root systems.

When you dig up a large shrub try to save as many of the roots as you possibly can. The best way to do this is to dig a trench around the plant with a shovel. That will leave a ball of soil around the root system. Carefully cut underneath the ball and place a piece of cloth or burlap, under it. Two people can carry the shrub by lifting the four corners of the burlap. Once you’ve dug the plant, transplant the tree or shrub as quickly as you can. This is the key to the transplant’s survival.

The longer the plant is out of the ground, the faster the roots will dry out and the more “transplant shock” it will endure.

Remember to reset your transplants at the same level or depth from which you just removed it, this was why you marked it. And most importantly, water it in thoroughly as soon as you finish planting. Don’t take a chance on a rain shower coming along.

Rain may not occur for some time and your newly-moved plant needs a really good watering-in immediately after transplanting. Now place a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch material around the transplant and you should be finished. But a word of caution. If we have an extended period without rain during the next few weeks, you could still lose it.

Don’t let the root system dry out. You may need to water it from time to time. Keep the roots moist, but not overly wet, and it should do fine.

If you have questions about transplanting trees or shrubs, contact me at the Bryan County Extension Service office at 912-653-2231 or uge3029@uga.edu. You can also contact me at the Liberty County Extension office at 912-876-2133 or uge3179@uga.edu.

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