Transplanting cedar trees

I've been wanting to plant a bunch of trees for a windbreak and privacy fence. Around here the pastures are full of cedar trees. Most people don't want them there. I found a place the other day that had hundreds of 1 to 2 foot cedar trees growing in a pasture and the ditch.So my question is.. can I dig them up and transplant them without them dying? Also when would be the best time of year to do this. I don't think they go dormant, but I really don't know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Doug-

[Old Vet]

Originally Posted by dudeatlarge

I've been wanting to plant a bunch of trees for a windbreak and privacy fence. Around here the pastures are full of cedar trees. Most people don't want them there. I found a place the other day that had hundreds of 1 to 2 foot cedar trees growing in a pasture and the ditch.So my question is.. can I dig them up and transplant them without them dying? Also when would be the best time of year to do this. I don't think they go dormant, but I really don't know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Doug-

Now is the time to transplant them. Also water them this year and they will not all die.You need at least 8 inches of roots.

[ct01r]

I've planted foot high trees with about a 60 - 80% success rate. I'd say get permission, dig more than you think you need, and go for it. Like vet said, "now's the perfect time, and don't forget to water". Plants are better off being planted in the fall so the roots can take hold while the tree is relatively dormant. All you have to lose is your time. Good luck! Curt

[Tricky Grama]

We transplanted dozens, w/great success.

Thanks for your replies. I found three small cedar trees on my property and transplanted them today. I gave them a good watering. Next week I will go out and dig up some more. Hopefully they will live.

[ksfarmer]

Originally Posted by dudeatlarge

Thanks for your replies. I found three small cedar trees on my property and transplanted them today. I gave them a good watering. Next week I will go out and dig up some more. Hopefully they will live.

The cedars around here transplant rather successfully if they aren't too big. Get as much root as you can, 2 foot trees are easiest. Water them in, and don't let them dry out too much. It's getting a little late now in my opinion for our area. If it gets as cold next week as the weather-guesser says, the ground will be frozen and impossible to dig. In that case I would wait till March and then go to work. Most land-owners will be more than happy to let you dig all you want, as long as you fill the holes back in. I recently told a feller that asked about getting a cedar christmas tree from my pasture, "No , you can't take one, you gotta take 2 or 3". LOL

[Acer Rubrum]

I transplanted 6 of them and they are doing great 2 years later.

[MichaelZ]

Yes, transplant them now and you will have good success. Just dig around the drip line so you get all or most of the roots and drop it all in a hole that is about the same size. Keep watered in the first year or two in case of a dry spell over the summer. After a year or two if they are still alive and kicking, they should be fine. For trees that I have transplanted this way, I have hardly lost any, provided I kept them watered when dry. But I am up north where hot and dry weather is limited.

If the ground freezes, then get them in the spring as early as possible.

[texican]

Transplanting is a lot of work... if you were planting only a couple, sure, that'd work great... but a hedge or windrow of them? Personally, I'd disc up the area real nice, (although, obviously 'not' necessary, as they grow great, without any type of human help) and gather a couple of gallons of the fruits (seeds) and sow them liberally where I wanted them to grow. Transplant if you still want, but leave a few feet between them, and sow seeds anyway.... they'll make an impenetrable (from prying eyes at least) hedge in just a couple of years.

Oh, btw.... just don't plant them if your neighbors have an apple orchard, or you plan on raising apples....

[big rockpile]

I have several on my place. They make Great Natural Fences and Wind Breaks, not much Food Value to Wildlife and if you don't keep an eye on them they can spread.

Any way I'm thinking of ordering several from our Conservation Department and planting them. I like Pines but Cedars to me do better and still provide Green year round.

big rockpile

[Lennard1974]

Originally Posted by texican

Transplanting is a lot of work... if you were planting only a couple, sure, that'd work great... but a hedge or windrow of them? Personally, I'd disc up the area real nice, (although, obviously 'not' necessary, as they grow great, without any type of human help) and gather a couple of gallons of the fruits (seeds) and sow them liberally where I wanted them to grow. Transplant if you still want, but leave a few feet between them, and sow seeds anyway.... they'll make an impenetrable (from prying eyes at least) hedge in just a couple of years.

Oh, btw.... just don't plant them if your neighbors have an apple orchard, or you plan on raising apples....

Texican, why not plant them near an apple orchard?

[sassafras manor]

Originally Posted by Lennard1974

Texican, why not plant them near an apple orchard?

Cedar apple rust

[MichaelZ]

And try not to create a depression when you plant. Dig a hole that is a little smaller rather than bigger so you do not create a situation where your tree's roots will drown out during a wet spell - this can just as easily destroy your tree as a drought. As the tree settles in, it will sink in a bit.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by dudeatlarge

I've been wanting to plant a bunch of trees for a windbreak and privacy fence. Around here the pastures are full of cedar trees. Most people don't want them there. I found a place the other day that had hundreds of 1 to 2 foot cedar trees growing in a pasture and the ditch.So my question is.. can I dig them up and transplant them without them dying? Also when would be the best time of year to do this. I don't think they go dormant, but I really don't know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Doug-

I would say it is a great plan. I did and love it. In a couple good years you should have 4 ft of growth or more. Mine are up to 7 ft in 2 years.

The smaller the tree at transplant time is better. Do it in any1st quarter of the moon. Second quarter is OK. Do not do it in the 3rd or 4th quarter of the moon.

[am1too]

Originally Posted by big rockpile

I have several on my place. They make Great Natural Fences and Wind Breaks, not much Food Value to Wildlife and if you don't keep an eye on them they can spread.

Any way I'm thinking of ordering several from our Conservation Department and planting them. I like Pines but Cedars to me do better and still provide Green year round.

big rockpile

Cedars are naturalized and free. Yup I'm cheap!!!

[ksfarmer]

Dude, check with your local extension office. There are tree bundles available from the forestry dept at K-State. There are bundles of seedling trees and shrubs for differing uses, such as windbreaks, wildlife, and more at very reasonable prices (cheap). You might want to mix these in with the native cedars that you transplant. I think these bundles are also native to Kansas. Son worked for the KSU forestery dept many years ago and he talked about spending the winter getting the seedlings ready for spring shipping.

[blufford]

The Cherokee believe the cedar tree is alive with their ancestor's spirits.
http://www.powersource.com/cocinc/articles/cedar.htm