Can I transplant a 'celestial' dogwood right now in Nashville?

glimmer_2009

14 years ago

I planted this white flowering dogwood in my backyard last fall and want to move it to a spot in the front now. Its small and pretty healthy looking and I'm having trouble finding one at nearby garden centers. I think I'm zone 7. Can I transplant this successfully or is it too risky? Any tips on moving it.??? Thanks

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Comments (6)

brandon7 TN_zone7
14 years ago
Can and should are different things. If it was some kind of emergency (the tree was located in a lot that was about to get bulldozed, etc), you could move it now. If you wait just a short while (till after leaf fall), your tree will experience less stress and have a better chance of survival. Is there any reason not to wait a short time and do it right?

Here is a link that might be useful: Planting a Tree or Shrub
hvaldez
14 years ago
I read that dogwoods in general do not transplant well. I consulted a arborist who gave me directions on how to transplant properly. It was a young tree only two years old in my garden. I followed all directions but no luck. After transplanting it bloomed and leafed out, then dried up and died. All the while I was tending it like a baby. Finally I decided to tug at it a little and it snapped in half. I was bummed but luckily it was on clearance when I bought it.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
when the leaves fall off.. the above ground part is dormant... and there will be less stress .. since the tree does not have to battle to support the leaves ...

once moved .... the plant will start growing new roots .... all thru winter.. except for maybe the coldest point of what you might call winter .... in my z5.. root growth continues until the ground freezes solid.. which isnt about you ...

this give your tree.. 2 cool .. or one very long cool season.. to regenerate roots.. to support itself when the heat hits next summer ...

when exactly the best time is.. in your z7... i do not know ...

dig the root mass.. at least 6 to 12 inches bigger than it was when you planted it ....

i see no reason to consult an arborist.. unless you are looking to hire someone to move it for you..

good luck

ken
brandon7 TN_zone7
14 years ago
I don't think dogwoods are nearly as hard to transplant as some other types of trees. Maybe they are not as easy as some. In this case (where the tree was only planted last year), I think it will be easier to move than a field grown specimen.

Here is a rough/generic rootball size guide for transplanting trees and shrubs. Soil type, tree species, and other factors are not taken into account, but it will give you an idea:

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".
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IS HARD TO DO.... when the prime consideration is TIMING ...

move it in august.. it is hard to do ...

move it in early summer.. it is hard to do ...

move ANYTHING at the right time of year.. and you WILL succeed beyond your widest dreams ...

timing and a few other considerations like proper re-planting .. proper watering ... and PROPER mulching all help ... but when timing is PROPER.. all other variables are very forgiving ....

digging the darn thing up is the least of your problems.. once you get over the fear of.. JUST DOING IT ...

good luck
ken
l_james
14 years ago
I've succesivly transplanted several mature dogwoods. Though yours probably hasn't developed long lateral roots.
The trick is to find the long lateral roots and trench them out 6 to 8 feet. Then cut them off. They are under the ground just an inch or two. Then when replanting dig trenches and fit them back into the ground just like they came out. It's extra work but otherwise you'ld be wasting all your time by ending up with a dead tree.
Also definatly wait till after leaf drop to transplant.

Can I transplant a 'celestial' dogwood right now in Nashville?

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brandon7 TN_zone7

hvaldez

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