NOW is the time to
Root Prune Before Transplanting
Do you have a
favorite Japanese Maple tree or woody ornamental of any size that you want bo
be moved to another location? If so, call the LandscapExperts a few months
ahead of time. This will allow us to come and root prune the root system prior
to the actual move. The tree or shrub is more likely to transplant successfully
when the time comes to actually transplant it.
What is root
pruning?
Root systems range
far and wide, growing in the top 18 - 24 inches of soil, and extending beyond
the drip line of the branches and leaves. This is known as the “pancake theory”
of root growth. Root pruning involves using a sharpened garden spade to cut a
narrow (1-2 inch wide) trench around the trunk(s) in a circle that outlines the
future root ball that we intend to dig up when we move the tree or shrub.UGA has a PDF that gives recommendations for approximate sizes of root balls for different types
of plants (evergreen shrubs, Japanese maple trees).
We fill in the narrow
trench and leave the tree in place for now, and in the intervening months it
will regenerate plenty of feeder roots closer to the trunk, inside the
proscribed circle. This guarantees success when the tree is actually moved a
few months later, during the winter while it is dormant. So rest assured, the LandscapExperts Team will safely move your favorite shrubs and trees.
photos courtesy Wiki Commons from UrbanTreeKey.com, ZenandGenki.com, GardenAction-co.uk
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