Content
- Transplanting old fruit trees requires targeted preparation
- Spring or autumn? The best time for transplanting
- Preparatory work
- Tips
Small fruit trees can be transplanted uncomplicated
Transplanting old fruit trees requires targeted preparation
Many a gardener has already misjudged the growth of his fruit trees, as the small, just one meter high apple tree threatens to develop within a few years to a large fruit tree with a broad crown. If the previous location offers too little space, it makes sense to move. This usually succeeds without problems, as long as the tree was not longer than three to four years in this place.
Spring or autumn? The best time for transplanting
Young fruit trees should preferably be planted in the fall. If, on the other hand, an older tree is to be moved, the early spring is recommended for this measure. Transplanting always means extreme stress for a plant, especially as such an action destroys many roots, especially fine roots. In order to limit the damage and to make it easier for the tree to grow at the new location, you should carry out the preparatory measures in the autumn and finally the actual conversion in the spring.
Preparatory work
In nurseries, trees and shrubs are generally transplanted every three years. The reason for this lies in the root development: The longer a tree remains at its location, the further its roots move away from the trunk - which in turn makes subsequent transplanting more difficult or even impossible. The frequent capping of the roots, on the other hand, keeps the rootstock compact. If an older fruit tree is to be transplanted in the garden, you can do the same and thus limit the damage from the outset:
Now the tree should remain at its location for at least half, better still a year. During this time, he is training a compact, close-to-root hair root system that will make it easier for him to grow into his new location. Now you can reopen the filled trench, dig up the tree and put it back in its new location.
Tips
It makes sense to combine grafting with a pruning by about one third.