Transplanting Cherry Trees in Autumn – Step-by-Step Guide

Cherry

Cherries are one of the most attractive trees in fruit growing. Besides their beauty, they also produce a bountiful harvest, but they require the utmost care. Timing and planting techniques are also crucial. Know the best time and location for replanting cherries in the fall.

The period suitable for transplantation

Tree adaptation to soil occurs much more quickly if the correct growing conditions are strictly followed. There are certain rules recommended by professional gardeners. The optimal time to begin replanting shrubs, seedlings, and perennials is autumn.

Cherries can be eaten fresh, but they can also be used to make delicious jam or jelly for the winter, made into compotes, and added to pies and cakes. Vareniki (dumplings) made with this berry are a staple dish for many housewives. Growing cherries in your own garden is quite easy. However, sometimes you may need to replant a cherry tree. What should you do in such a case? What should you do to preserve the tree and ensure it bears fruit in the future? The following recommendations will help you replant a cherry tree correctly, without risking the loss of the plant.

Watering, fertilizing, pruning, maintenance, and other important procedures must be performed on time and without delay. Otherwise, negative consequences cannot be avoided.

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How to choose a new location?

If you're planning to replant your cherry tree in the fall, you should make sure it's worthwhile. It's not uncommon for a tree, especially one over five years old, to no longer bear fruit in its new location.

However, there are situations in which replanting a tree is necessary. This usually occurs because the original location is unsuitable for it:

next to the wall of the house;
there are too many other trees or bushes in the neighborhood;
The area needs to be cleared.

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Another important consideration is the tree's age. The younger the cherry tree, the easier the adaptation process will be. When replanting bushes early, all long branches should be trimmed. This way, the root system will not waste a large amount of nutrients on nourishing them, but will instead begin to develop naturally.

The only type of cherry tree that definitely requires replanting is a sucker tree. These bushes often interfere with the fruiting of the main plant, robbing its roots of all their minerals. A sucker cherry tree doesn't have its own roots, so digging it up is relatively easy. This approach allows you to preserve the mature bush and grow a new fruit-bearing tree.

When choosing a new location for a cherry tree, there are several rules to follow:

The area should be sufficiently illuminated, as this species loves sunlight.
It is best to choose a place on a hill with fertile soil that has a neutral pH.
It is not recommended to transplant into soil with marshy soil, as this may cause root rot and the plant will die.
It is recommended to transplant cherry trees to a new location in the fall only according to pre-agreed dates.
The best time for replanting, especially for cherry trees with rootstocks, is September to early October. By this time, most of the leaves have already fallen, but the air temperature is optimal for the necessary adaptation of the bushes.

The results show that autumn replanting is much more effective than spring replanting. The plant begins to bear fruit significantly earlier and produces more fruit.

How to perform a transplant correctly?

Each type of gardening work has its own instructions and rules. It's especially important to familiarize yourself with them if you're transplanting a cherry tree for the first time. Failure to follow these instructions can damage the plant and prevent the desired results. To ensure the new tree takes root, it's important to follow these guidelines:

The depth, as well as the diameter of the hole for planting, is taken into account based on the size of the root system of the selected plant.
The selected location should be well fertilized with wood ash, compost, phosphorus and potassium substances.
The cherry tree's root system is almost as wide as its crown. This feature should be taken into account when digging up the tree.
The root system of the bush should be protected with a cloth or cellophane to avoid damage.
If the seedlings have dry roots, they must be dipped in water for several hours before planting the tree in a new location.
Place the cherry tree in the center of the planting hole, then begin filling the roots with soil. Each new layer should be compacted thoroughly. It's important to fill the hole with only fertile soil.
A tree planted in a new location can be protected from falling over by driving a stake nearby and tying the plant to it.
After transplanting, the cherry tree requires abundant watering.
Mulching with fallen leaves will help prevent the soil from drying out. This not only retains moisture but also protects the root system from the coming winter frosts.

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Important Features

Gardeners and amateur gardeners should remember that replanting cherry trees from rootstocks or very young bushes, aged 3-5 years, is most effective. They adapt much more quickly than mature plants, and fruiting can therefore be expected sooner.

Transplanting is strictly prohibited in summer and winter. Also, avoid disturbing the plant during flowering. During hot periods, the cherry tree's root system will likely dry out during transplantation, and in winter, the tree will simply freeze.

The only cherry variety that shouldn't be replanted is the felt cherry. This is a characteristic of this plant, which has the shortest fruiting period. Felt cherries won't have time to establish themselves in a new location, adapt, and produce another crop. Therefore, replanting this variety is completely inadvisable. Proper replanting of cherries in the fall should be done strictly according to the recommendations.

As you can see, replanting a cherry tree doesn't require much time or effort, so the process is quick and inexpensive. However, even this task requires careful consideration. It's important to follow the guidelines listed above. The deciding factors in this type of work include choosing a suitable location, soil quality, the age of the plant, and the timing of the transplant. It's also important to ensure the integrity of the root system when replanting a mature tree. If you consider all these factors, the new plant will quickly establish itself and continue to bear fruit.

Gardeners' Tips

Properly transplanting cherry trees in the fall can guarantee high yields. This is a crucial factor, pursued by many specialists. But how can you achieve good results?

First and foremost, this is fertilizing. Any plant requires proper care and mineral fertilizers. Of course, digging and adding compost will suffice, but you can also use ready-made fertilizers.
Don't forget about mulch. This aspect is often overlooked by amateur gardeners, who believe it's unnecessary. Mulch not only protects the soil from freezing but also creates a good fertilizer through the growth of microorganisms. Don't neglect this advice.
Watering before winter should be generous. Approximately 50-70 liters of water per tree is needed. This is crucial to create a feeding zone for the cherry tree.