Home and Garden

An oak tree is a symbol of strength and endurance. Just the way this royal evergreen tree stands in your yard clearly reflects its elegance and grace. Its thick dependable trunk and sprawling branches are home to many birds. For little children all set to enjoy an outdoor game of softball, the benevolent shade of this tree is heaven. You might be all happy and green at the thought of shifting into a new and bigger house, but does the thought of leaving behind your lovely oak tree make you depressed and sad? Do you often regret your decision of shifting just because the move would mean leaving behind the many memories of the oak tree? Can you think of beginning a new life without a part of your soul, as this tree has gone on to become? Well, don’t be sad, as we bring to you good news. You, now, do not have to abandon your beloved oak tree, since it can be transplanted to the new location you plan to shift. Though an oak tree is generally quite difficult to move, trees less than 60 years of age can be transplanted. This article will give you an insight as to how you must go about with transplanting your favorite oak tree.

How to Transplant an Oak Tree

Initial Preparation

Transplanting an oak tree is not a one-day affair. The procedure begins in the month of spring itself. At first, the roots of the tree need to be pruned. For this, dig a hole around the circumference of the tree and begin to prune the roots. This will result in the oak growing new roots closer to the trunk of the tree, making it easier to transplant. In case you are wondering the use of it, think of the tree losing a lot many roots during the process of transplantation. All through the spring season, pruning of roots should be continued to enable the growth of new roots, closer and closer to the oak’s trunk. The growth rate can be stimulated by feeding the tree with phosphorous rich food.

Get The New Spot Ready

The oak tree should be ideally transplanted either during the late summer or early fall. However, before you remove the oak tree from its old spot, it is best to prepare its new surroundings. Ensure that the area is large, since an oak tree when fully grown occupies quite an amount of space. See to it that the spot is pest and fungus free. Now, dig a hole of the same parameters as the old spot, not too wide and of exactly the same depth, so the tree feels at home. If you end up digging a deeper hole, the tree might take some time to fix its roots in the soil and this might be fatal. Once you are done with digging the hole, fill it up with garden soil or mulch.

Pick Up, Put Down

Once you have carefully prepared the new spot for the oak tree, begin to dig around the tree. Before you begin however, estimate the size of the oak and accordingly decide as to how much farther from the tree you need to dig so that the roots are not damaged. While digging, you also need to see whether the tree can be jerked out without applying undue force. If not, continue to dig. Once you successfully pull out the tree, tie a plastic bag, large enough to cover its roots. Now, carry the oak to its new home and carefully remove the plastic bag from its roots. Lower the tree to the fresh dug up hole without any jerk.

Precautions

The first few days after the transplantation are very crucial and until spring you may not even see any sign of new life. Don’t get disheartened. Continue to treat the tree as any other living tree, watering it and adding compost. This should be done until the roots adapt to the new ecosystem and can fend for themselves. Occasionally, addition of mulch and spraying of fertilizers should be adhered to. Also, prune a few lower branches, so that the tree requires less time and energy to grow back.