When is the best time to transplant trees?

by Susan

Answered

Last year around September I transplanted 3 trees and watered them everyday, but the did not survive and all died. When is the best time to do this as I do not wish to kill them but they are growing to close to our house and do not want them to destroy the foundation when they get bigger.

4 answers

Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Jun 07, 2018

So sorry you lost 3 trees! Did you get your money back ftom the nursery back where you bought them? Or did they provide replacements? Ok, I am confused. If the trees you planted last September died, what is growing now? New trees? What kind of trees are they? What zone are you in? And why did you plant them so close to the house? Fall is actually a great time to plant new trees. Could it be the soil? Most likely you can successfully transplant now with great care. Contact your local Ag Extension for localized help too.

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- Susan on Jun 07, 2018
  
  I neither bought these trees or planted them near our house, they kind of grew wild from either a bird dropping seeds or from the neighbors tree "seeds". I do not know what kind of trees they are but can tell you we live in southeast PA.
  
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- Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Jun 08, 2018
  
  Ok, here is what I would do. Take a picture of them, and maybe even a cutting and take to a reputable nursery to identify and learn about the trees. Then once you know what they are and how to take care of them, then you will know how to transplant them. If you are too hesitant to do yourself, hire a landscaper or arborist to come transplant to another suitable location on your property.
  
  A number of years ago a squirrel buried a half eaten fig in one of my planters. A tiny tree appeared and from that tree, I now have 2 more. Nature is wonderful!
  
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- Susan on Jun 08, 2018
  
  .I forgot to tell you that I was going to purchase a fruit tree (to replace these trees I lost) at a place called "Tractor Supply" and asked them what kind of guarantee comes with them. They told me there was no guarantee, then I asked them, "so if I purchase a tree from you and get it home and it dies within a certain time period, I can not get a refund or replacement". They told me yes, if they died even one day after I purchase them I could not get anything in return. So not all places that sell trees give you any kind of guarantee.
  
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- Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Jun 09, 2018
  
  That is true, not all places do. The "better" nurseries do and I know Home Depot does too. But if it is offered, at least you get a second try. I love Tractor Supply, I have to go a bit out of my way, so a planned trip, but always worth it.
  
  If you are hesitant planting or transplanting the trees on your own, bring in a landscaper or arborist to help you out.
  
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Irene Hough on Jun 07, 2018

Try using a five gallon bucket with a whole in the bottom. Sit it by the tree and fill it with water. That way the tree gets water all day and you just have to refill once a day the bucket my not be pretty but your tree will be

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Bijous on Jun 07, 2018

Transplanting trees depends on the size of the tree and how deep you've dug down and around the tree to remove it's roots. Sometimes you just can't save them.

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B. Enne on Jun 08, 2018

Sometimes seedlings/saplings just don't take. Did you fertilize them? I was told not to, and I had 2 that were successful afterwards. You can over water them too.
https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/watering.cfm

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- Susan on Jun 08, 2018
  
  I did not fertilize them nor do I think I over watered them as I only watered them once per day. Reading all of the remakes so far, I am guessing that I did not take enough of the root out (when I transplanted them) or I did not dig the hole deep enough.
  
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