Transplanting fruit trees - how to properly move them

Transplanting old fruit trees requires specific preparation

Spring or autumn? The best time to transplant

If possible, young fruit trees should be planted in autumn. If, on the other hand, 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 action. 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 autumn and finally the actual repositioning in spring.

Preparatory work

In tree nurseries, trees and shrubs are generally replanted every three years. The reason for this lies in the development of the roots: the longer a tree remains in its location, the further its roots move away from the trunk - which in turn makes later transplanting 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 replanted in the garden, you can proceed in the same way and thus limit the damage from the outset:

In the autumn 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 a little more than the width of the tree canopy.
Use a sharp spade that you can use to cut through the roots.
Also, cap the roots below the root ball.
Mix the excavated material with plenty of mature compost.
Fill in the trench again.
Water the tree well and mulch the root area.

Now the tree should stay in place for at least half a year, or even better a year. During this time it forms 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 trench, dig up the tree and put it back in its new location.