- 1). Fertilize the tropical tree well in the growing season before you transplant. It is necessary to get the tree in the best health possible before you even think about transplanting it. A healthy tree has a much better chance of surviving.
- 2). Treat the tropical tree for any diseases or pests that may be afflicting it in the growing season before the transplant. Transplanting an already weakened tree will only put more stress on it and it can die.
- 3). Prepare the tree's root system for the transplant the fall before you transplant it to another area in your garden. Use a flat-edged shovel, face away from the tree, and dig down approximately 2 feet, around the entire root system. Figure on digging out from the trunk 1 foot for every inch of diameter of trunk.
- 4). Select a new area in your landscape to plant the tree that basically offers the same conditions it had grown in. Select an area with the same amount of sunlight, water and soil conditions. This will produce less stress to the transplanted tree.
- 5). Prepare the planting area before you dig the tree up. Amend the soil with organic matter, if required. Dig a hole in the area that is three times wider than the tree's root ball, but no deeper.
- 6). Dig around the tree as deep as possible to keep as many small feeder roots attached to the root ball as possible. Other than palms, most tropical trees receive most of their water and nutrients from the smaller feeder roots.
- 7). Place a tarp down on the ground next to the hole and tree. It will make moving the tree easier. Do not move a tree by dragging it by the root ball. Protect the root section as much as possible.
- 8). Dig under the bottom of the tree to release the larger roots' hold upon the ground. Cut any of the larger roots with a pair of loppers. Lay the tree on its side upon the tarp and drag it to its new location.
- 9). Water the new planting hole before placing the tree into it. Set the tree in the new hole facing the same direction it was growing in the other location. If the tree was facing south in the old hole, face it south in the new one.
- 10
Fill the hole in with soil, making sure the tree is planted at the same height in the ground as it was in the original hole. Water the tree in well. Continue to water the tree regularly for the first year of the transplant, keeping the roots moist but not flooded.
previous post