Transplanting oak trees...

[Maggie]

DH found some small oak trees growing on our property. They are growing under a power line, and he would like to transplant them. When is the best time of the year to move them? Is there anything he should be aware of (as far as transplanting tips) before he moves them? Thanks and have a great day, Maggie

[Lynne]

The basics are transplant to the fall, get the whole root, think about how big they will be in 20 years for your spacing from structures and other plantings, do not plant deeper than they are now, mulch well, stake if needed for the first year, water, lots and lots of water. I run a hose at a trickle and leave it next to the tree for an hour every few days the first month. If the hose doesn't reach, 5 gallon buckets with holes in the bottoms sitting next to the tree will work.

I forgot to say, do not put the mulch up against the bark.

[uncle Will in In.]

Lynne gave you great advice. Late in the fall after the top goes dormat for the winter is less stressful on the trees, but the roots still require water all winter. Right now we are faceing possible very hot and or very dry weather. Makes really tough sledding for a stressed plant.

[Country Doc]

I will add you can root prune now by using a shovel to cut straight down where you will dig it later cutting the long roots now so less stress at the final dig in the fall after they are dormant.

[FourDeuce]

One of the fun things about gardening is that you can experiment and push the envelope(and learn from your experiences). You CAN transplant during other times of the year. It's just harder to do, and takes more effort, especially with trees that develop longer taproots, like oaks. The problem with waiting for those trees which are growing under a power line is that you never know when the power company may come along and cut them or spray them with herbicide, so you may want to try digging some of them earlier, just in case. You could dig around them and get a good ball of dirt, getting as large a ball as you can handle to protect the roots(and make sure you go down deep enough to get as much of that taproot as you can). Wrap the root ball in burlap or plastic and water it well when you transplant it to its new location. Also make sure you dig a nice new hole with plenty of room for the roots to grow in, and mulch it well.
I've successfully transplanted trees during their non-dormant seasons, but it's best to do it when they're dormant if you can. Sometimes you need to do it during other times, though.

[mightybooboo]

We've transplanted scrub oak with about 50% success,which is very good,they arent supposed to transplant.With this particular oak,the trick is planting at EXACTLY the same level.

Good luck,its doable,especially with the young ones.

BooBoo