Transporting and caring for large tree transplants

Wayne02 · #1 09/22/07, 01:07 PM

We will be buying a bunch of largish evergreen trees to plant on our place (mostly leyland cyprus and cedar I think). These trees are about 6-7' in height and are in approximately 16-18" dia containers. I'm guessing the trunk of the trees to be 2-3" dia.

1. They will have to be transported about 100 miles to our property. How do I do this without damaging the trees? I have an open bed car trailer that I could stand them straight up on. The truck does have a canopy on it and I could leave the back window of the canopy in the open position while we travel. This would divert some of the wind pressure that is directly behind the truck. But the trees will of course still be buffeted by some wind back there.

Or I could build some low height sides for the trailer and attempt to lean the trees over on each other such that they would not be buffeted by the wind as much as they would if they were standing straight up?

2. Once at the property they will be transplanted in an area that is far away from any water spigots. I don't know if these type of trees required watering after transplant for a period of time or not? These are reportedly a pretty hardy tree but this will be a significant investment and I'd rather error on the side of caution to help them survive.

If I have to water them what are some options? There is a drainage ditch that is full of water year round that is about 60-80' from where the trees will be located. Wonder if I could use a generator and some sort of water pump? Maybe fill the 50 gallon fresh water tank on my rv and tow it out there with the tractor, then somehow pump the water out of the tank...

Thanks

susieM · #2 09/22/07, 01:40 PM

Cover them during transport to minimize dehydration.

Old Vet · #3 09/22/07, 03:51 PM

Before you make a lot of work for yourself for no gain. Call the state Forestry People in your area and see if they will grow where you want to move them to. 100 Miles is not a long distance but in some cases it only takes about a mile to make it doubtful if it will grow. Have a Foreter come and look at the place where you want it to grow then ask him any questions you need to know.
In my area you find walnut growing in the low spots then a little later their are sweet gum then another few hundred feet you get into red oaks. Each of them has found a spot where they are best suited for. All of this is in about 500feet from each other.

FourDeuce · #4 09/22/07, 04:19 PM

Once you plant them, put a nice thick layer of mulch on the ground around them(but not right against the trunk). If you make a watering basin around them when you plant them, each time you water them, the water will stay near the roots better, and the thick layer of mulch will help hold the moisture there for the roots. When you plant them, water the ground well to settle them in and soak the ground around the roots and make sure there are no air pockets around the roots. You should probably water them deeply at least once a week after you plant them.

Jennifer L. · #5 09/22/07, 04:50 PM

Seeing as how they are cedar type trees, I'd lay them flat on their sides and "shingle" them on the trailer and put a tarp over them. I don't see why they need to stand up right for a short ride like that.

If you are going to transplant any tree you'd better be prepared to water a LOT the first year. At least once a week. If they don't get water you might be just throwing your money and your work away.

Jennifer

agmantoo · #6 09/22/07, 05:02 PM

Unless you must have the specific initial size to meet a landscaping requirement you would be ahead to buy smaller trees. The transplanting will stress any plant but small plants tolerate the stress better and recover much faster. In five years, the small gallon size plants/trees will be larger than the 5-6 footers will be.

Rocky Fields · #7 09/22/07, 06:01 PM

Hey.

All trees need to be watered in when transplanted.

Put a hitch ball on your tractor hitch and pull your open bed car trailer with 55 gallon plastic barrels back to your trees. Tap the barrels for a spighot and gardenhose to gravity feed water them. 55 gallon plastic barrels that have had non-toxic foodtype liquids in them usually go for about $5-$6 here.

RF

Shirley · #8 09/22/07, 09:10 PM

They need to be laying down, tops of trees to the back for transport.
Any newly planted tree needs a tree well and kept wet until the roots take hold. This time of year is better, cooler, won't have to water them everyday. We put vitamin B1 root stimulator in the water as it soaks in, it helps the tree come out of shock.