What's The Best Time of Year to Transplant Trees?
Sometimes we plant trees thinking they will be a good fit for a specific area but once the tree has matured a bit we find another location that it would look better in. This happens with clients all the time, usually from spacing issues or landscaper mistakes planting a very large tree too close to a house. Instead of removing the tree altogether, you can perform a transplant! Now transplanting isn’t the easiest of jobs and should definitely be performed by a professional. There are no guarantees that the tree will survive the move , either so it is something a homeowner should be 100% certain they want to do. The biggest part of transplanting is timing! If you try to transplant a tree during the wrong time of the season it can almost guarantee its death. We always recommend transplanting trees during their dormant season, which varies by species. Dormancy is when the trees are not actively growing and have no leaves or flowers, unless of course it is a conifer. Evergreens will not have any new bud growth which is an indicator that the tree is currently dormant. However, you also do not want to transplant the tree in the middle of winter, as you will be risking heavy root damage when there is frost in the soil. In winter, the ground is much harder as well, making it a tough process. Generally the best time to transplant a tree would be in spring, which provides the most ideal soil and weather conditions for the tree. Listed below are some things to keep in mind while doing the transplant:
Get the timing right.
Different species have different requirements for transplanting, for example, your conifer trees such as pine and spruce would prefer to be moved in fall versus spring. If you have questions about transplanting a tree in the Snellville or surrounding areas, be sure to give us a call for a free estimate!
Don’t skip the details.
Just as shrubs and plants, trees have different hardy zones and water, sun requirements that must be met to keep the tree alive! Make sure you do your research on what you are transplanting and what it needs exactly, as the soil and sun exposure might be different in different areas of your lawn. Still have questions? We have more than 3 certified Arborists on staff that can answer all of your tree care needs in Snellville, Ga.
There is no guarantee for survival.
Not all trees react to transplanting the same way and even though mature vs. young trees make no difference in the transplant, they can still be susceptible to death. Make sure to be certain when making a decision on whether or not to move it.
Our best advice is if it doesn’t have to be moved or isn’t causing problems, leave it be and plant another! More trees = more property value!
Call us today to schedule an estimate by one of our certified professionals for a transplant!
