IN THE GARDEN
How to transplant
a tree
It!s getting late in the season,
but if you must, here!s how...
M
any smallholders
greatly value the
trees that grow on
their plots, so if there's a tree
in the way of their extension,
driveway or proposed
swimming pool, they are not
likely to pull out the chainsaw.
Rather they will look at the
option of transplanting it, as
long as it is in good health
and shape, it won't need
serious hauling to be lifted
out, and it's not an alien
invasive species.
Some say that winter is the
ideal time to move a tree, but
spring is not too late for a
deciduous tree, before it
begins to leaf out, but after
the threat of frost. Late
summer is usually a good time
to move evergreens.
A suitable spot to receive the
transplant will preferably have
soil of a similar type, with
similar drainage and sun
exposure for the tree to
thrive.
Dig the hole to receive the
transplant first. Make the hole
square, which will encourage
the roots to spread into the
surrounding soil. Estimate
how large the root system will
be when you dig it out. Allow
for the root system to go into
the ground to the same depth
it was originally at. If the soil is
extremely hard or com-
pacted, you will want to dig
the hole much larger to
loosen the soil around the
perimeter to make it easier for
the roots to spread when they
begin to grow outward.
Place a generous amount of
compost at the bottom of the
hole to ensure that the tree
receives good nourishment
during its re-establishment
phase. Most trees also need
proper drainage and soil pH
between 5.5 and 6.5 in order
to thrive, so test the soil
before planting and amend as
needed.
Mark the tree trunk with a
dab of paint on the north
side, so that you will place it
in its new spot facing the
same way that it was origi-
nally. This minimises the stress
on the tree while it is settling
into its new position.
Now excavate a trench
around the tree, cutting the
roots as you work. Leave as
much soil and root mass
intact that you feel you can
manage to move, as this will
help the tree to settle quicker.
Depending on the size and
species of the tree, the trench
around it should be about 50
cm deep before you begin to
excavate under the bowl of
root mass.
When you can no longer
reach under the tree, by
which time it should be
wobbly, fasten a rope around
the trunk at about a metre
height or higher, depending
on the sturdiness of the trunk.
If you use a chain, wrap a
cloth around it to prevent it
from damaging the bark.
Make sure that the rope is
long enough so that, when it
is attached to whatever
vehicle you are using to tow
the tree, it won't topple onto
the vehicle. Attach the rope
to the vehicle and pull the
tree over slowly. As it bends
chop away the remaining
roots.
Place skids, eg, two or three
gum poles, under the bowl of
earth and root and slide the
root mass up the poles out of
the hole and onto a sheet of
corrugated iron. Attach the
rope to the corrugated iron
and use it as a sled to move
the tree to its new location.
Position the bowl of roots as
close as possible to the new
hole, in such a way that you
can push it into the hole and
raise the tree, taking care to
have the paint mark facing
north.
43
www.sasmallholder.co.za