Many gardeners have already misjudged the growth potential of their fruit trees, as the small, just one meter high apple tree threatens to develop into a large fruit tree with a wide crown within a few years. If the current location does not offer enough space, moving it makes sense. This usually works without any problems as long as the tree has not been in this place for longer than three to four years.
When and how should you transplant fruit trees?
When transplanting fruit trees, preparatory work in autumn and the actual transplanting in spring are ideal. In autumn, cut off the roots around the tree, fill the trench with compost and leave the tree to stand for at least six months. After this time, the tree can be transplanted and at the same time cut back by a third.
Spring or autumn? The best time for transplanting
Young fruit trees should be planted in autumn if possible. However, if an older tree is to be moved, early spring is recommended for this measure. Transplanting always means extreme stress for a plant, especially since many roots - especially fine roots - are destroyed during such an operation. In order to limit the damage and make it easier for the tree to grow in the new location, you should carry out the preparatory measures in the fall and finally the actual moving in the spring.
Preparatory work
In tree nurseries, trees and shrubs are generally replanted every three years. The reason for this lies in root development: the longer a tree remains in its location, the further away its roots become from the trunk - which in turn makes later replanting more difficult or even impossible. Frequent cutting of the roots, on the other hand, ensures that the rhizome remains compact. If an older fruit tree is to be transplanted in the garden, you can proceed in the same way and limit the damage from the outset:
- In the fall before the actual transplanting, cut off the roots of the tree all around.
- To do this, dig a wide trench around the tree.
- The diameter should be slightly larger than the width of the tree crown.
- Use a sharp spade (€29.00 on Amazon) to cut through the roots.
- Also cut off the roots below the root ball.
- Mix the excavated material with plenty of mature compost.
- Fill in the ditch again.
- Water the tree well and mulch the root area.
Now the tree should remain in its location for at least half a year, and preferably a year. During this time it develops a compact hair root system close to the trunk, which will make it easier for it to grow in the new location. Now you can reopen the filled-in trench, dig up the tree and put it back in its new location.
Tip
It makes sense to combine transplanting with cutting back by about a third.