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Fruit & Orchards

Transplanting mature fruit trees- root ball size?

15 years ago

When moving an established dwarf or semi-dwarf fruit tree, how large of a root ball is required? I'm trying to determine if digging (and more importantly, loading onto a truck) is possible as a one-person job, or if I'll need to hire someone with more specialized equipment.

Thank you,

Keith

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Comments (3)

brandon7 TN_zone7
15 years ago
That can vary depending on many factors like the type of rootstock, soil type, time of year, and amount of TLC you can give it after transplant, etc. But, here is a generic guideline that will give you a place to start:

For trunk diameter below 1/2", multiply the diameter by 20 to get approximate rootball diameter.
For trunk diameter between 1/2" and 1", multiply the diameter by 18 to get approximate rootball diameter.
For trunk diameter between 1" and 1-1/2", multiply the diameter by 16 to get approximate rootball diameter.
For trunk diameter between 1-1/2" and 2-1/2", multiply the diameter by 14 to get approximate rootball diameter.
For trunk diameter between 2-1/2" and 4", multiply the diameter by 12 to get approximate rootball diameter.

Here are guidelines for rootball depth:

For a rootball with a diameter of 1', depth should be approximately 8".
For a rootball with a diameter of 2', depth should be approximately 1'.
For a rootball with a diameter of 3', depth should be approximately 15".
For a rootball with a diameter of 4', depth should be approximately 18".

Here is a link that might be useful: Generic Rootball Size Guide
kossetx
15 years ago
Keith, I'm no expert but it depends alot on the time of year. I transplanted some in the fall (Nov) of 07 that we cut the roots off at 2' from the trunk , or 4' diameter. These were 3-4" class trunks. I took them out bare root and the roots weren't really more than 6" deep. I also cut the limbs back to the trunk for the most part. Those trees are showing lots of fruit this year on the 2nd year growth.

I wouldn't hesitate to do the same thing right now but I'd be leaving more soil on for trasportation. Mulch real well after and see what happens. If it gets hotter, leave more ball on, or wait till fall.
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