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shipping a small fig tree

17 years ago

Hi,

I am new to this forum and need advice on the best way to ship/mail a new fig tree. I potted a clipping from my fig tree a few months ago for my son. The clipping is about 8 inches tall and has sprouted leaves. Now I want to ship it to my son in Seattle. I live in Florida and will send it via Priority mail which should take 2 to 3 days. Now my question is when I remove it from the pot what can I use to keep the roots moist during shipping and should I wrap something around the 8 inch clipping and leaves to protect them in the box. I will appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

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Comments (2)

bjs496
17 years ago
Water your tree a day or two before you remove it from the container (you want the growing mix to be moist but not so wet that you are paying for extra shipping). Then wrap the root ball in moist newspaper/paper towel followed by a plastic wrap. Since it has already broken dormancy, do not ship bare-rooted. Find a box or tube that is as close to the size of the root ball as possible. If it is slightly smaller than the root ball, remove just enough of the growing mix so it fits snuggly then wrap.

Cut a piece of cardboard 2-3" wide and as long as the box you are shipping is less the height of your root ball. Fold the piece of cardboard in half lengthwise. When putting it in the box or tube (whichever you use), slide it in roots first. Once the roots are in the box, slide the cardboard piece around the trunk of the tree and push the rest of the tree into the box. The cardboard piece you made should be snug against the top of the box when you close it. Seal the box and you are ready to ship.

If your tree has many branches that prevent you from using the extra cardboard piece as described, make two of them and put them in the corners. Make sure they are wide enough to sit on the root ball. Keeping the root ball in place is crucial.

I have shipped (as well as checked in baggage) trees up to three gallons in lamp boxes using this techniqe.

~james
john-fla
Original Author
17 years ago
James,
Thanks for your how to ship info. I plan on shipping the tree Monday. I'm sure it will make the trip okay.
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