From my roots to my leaves, I feel the world. A transplant is the most traumatic event I can experience. You are severing my connection to the earth I know, the intricate network of roots and soil microbes that sustain me. My entire system goes into a state of shock. I am not being dramatic; this is a biological response to survive. My leaves may wilt, my growth will halt, and I will focus every ounce of my energy on re-establishing my root system in a new, unfamiliar home. Your goal is to minimize this shock, and timing is everything.
Please do not do this in the peak of summer heat or during a winter freeze. My ideal time for moving is in the early spring or mid-autumn. In spring, the soil is warming, and my natural growth cycle is beginning. I am full of energy and ready to push out new roots. In autumn, the air is cooler, reducing moisture loss from my leaves, but the soil is still warm enough to encourage root establishment before winter dormancy. Transplanting me during these periods gives me the best chance to recover before the stresses of extreme temperatures.
Before you even get the shovel, water the soil around my base deeply a day or two before the move. This hydrates me and helps the soil hold together around my root ball, protecting my delicate feeder roots. When you dig, please be generous. My root system likely spreads as wide as my canopy. Start digging a trench at my drip line, working inward carefully. My goal is to keep as much of the root ball intact as possible. Once I am free, gently lift me onto a tarp or into a wheelbarrow. Do not shake the soil off or drag me by my trunk; you are damaging my lifelines.
The new hole you dig is my new universe. It should be two to three times wider than my root ball, but only as deep as I was previously growing. Planting me too deep will suffocate my crown and lead to rot. The soil you backfill with should be similar to my original soil, perhaps amended with a little compost for nutrients and to improve drainage. Do not pack the soil down too hard; my new roots need air and soft earth to penetrate. Water me in thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets, which can dry out my roots.
This is where you truly determine my fate. For the first few weeks, and even the entire first growing season, I will need consistent moisture. The soil should be kept damp but not waterlogged. A layer of organic mulch around my base (but not touching my trunk) is incredibly helpful. It will regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and suppress weeds that would compete with my weakened system. Please resist the urge to fertilize me immediately; my burned roots cannot handle it. Wait until you see signs of new growth, a sure signal that I have begun to settle in and am ready to face the world again.
