Transplanting Dogwood

16 years ago

Hi,

I have a Korean Dogwood (Milky Way) that I planted last summer. I t looks like I need to move it to a different part of my yard so I have to dig it up and transplant it. It is still dormant so I figured that I would do it this weekend. ItÂs roughly 6 feet tall and I think was a 7 gallon potted plant when I bought it. How extensive do you think the root system will have grown over 9 months (IÂm in upstate NY zone 6)? What would be the best way to try and go about thisÂwill I be able to get most of the roots out or should I not bother and just lop off the smaller roots? IÂm perfectly willing to and able do the digging and heavy lifting partÂIÂm more concerned about not killing the tree. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thx

dave

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Comments (3)

bullthistle
16 years ago
You should be able to dig it up without any problem because I doubt it grew much the first year and if so you can trim the smaller roots without much hurting the dogwood. You probably have an idea how large the ball is from when you planted, just make certain the ball doesn't crap out and do not use the stem as leverage when digging.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials
Dibbit
16 years ago
To amplify what Bullthistle wrote -- the new root growth should be no more than a foot, maybe less, so allowing that much, beyond where the old root ball was, in digging your new trench should be plenty - if you cut roots beyond that, the tree will regrow them. As long as the root ball holds together fairly well, there should be no problem - water the ground well in the day or two before digging, so it is wet but not muddy, if only because water weighs. Dig carefully around and then under the root ball - cutting any possible large roots. Try not to use the tree trunk as a pry/leverage point or handle, although some pulling/pushing at it can't be helped.

Have rope and a tarp on hand, big enough to enclose the root ball, folded in half, and the top fold then folded again - lay it under the root ball on one side, then gently tilt the tree/root ball, and unfold it to the other side - wrap the root ball up so it is stable, and so you have "handles" to carry it by. Do as much moving and carrying by the root ball and not by the trunk as you can. Lift it out of the old hole and move it to the newly dug hole - which should be dug before the old one - save the dirt to fill in the old hole - and move it by the tarp and rope, not by the trunk.

Replant it, water it well, don't add amendments to the backfill soil, make a lip/moat around the root ball to hold water so it soaks in. Mulch it, as widely as possible, no deeper than 4", and put no mulch in the couple of inches next to the trunk. Continue watering as the top few inches of soil dries out - test by sticking a finger in to the second knuckle - if it is dry, water, if damp, wait and test again. You will need to water as necessary for the first 2 years, and in long dry spells in the third year - watering slowly, so the moisture gets to the bottom of the root ball and doesn't just run off - the equivalent of an inch of rain per week.

As long as you keep the tree watered, it should be fine.
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This is THE WORST time of year you could possibly have picked to plant a new tree!!! As for watering, check the soil's moisture level with you finger. Check for moisture both outside AND inside the rootball (assuming you didn't plant it bare-root). Be sure the soil at about 2" to 3" remains moist, but not wet. 30 minutes per day does sound like possibly too much water, BUT it depends on the water flow rate, your soil conditions, your weather, etc. Anyone that tells you how often/how much to water either doesn't know what they are talking about or are very familiar with you planting site's conditions. Hopefully the nursery falls into that last category. The bottom line is that you need to check your soil's moisture level to determine how often and how much to water.
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I appreciate all the input from all. To a further explanation, I was lucky to get a bit of root as I pulled it from its last location. It had only been in the ground for about 9 months but had already settled in pretty good. BUT I did get roots. It is sending out green shoots in its new home so I think I have taken it at least this far. The shoots are minuscule, but to me, signs of life. My "soil" is clay and I mean clay. If I gathered enough, I could make pottery from it. I added some true soil to the small hole it went into and watered well and mulched. I know that dogwoods are susceptible to all kinds of disease so this may all be for naught. I would love to see it make it and so here I am with my questions. Once again, thank you to all for your input.
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stoshny
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, I came home from work this afternoon and moved the tree. Followed your advice exactly and everything went perfectly. You were right...the rootball was probably a foot bigger than before and I think I got darn near every bit of it. Thanks for the advice guys.
Dave

Transplanting Dogwood

Comments (3)

bullthistle

Dibbit

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stoshny
Original Author

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Transplanting Dogwood

Comments (3)

bullthistle

Dibbit

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stoshnyOriginal Author

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stoshny
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