Rules and timing for replanting an apple tree in spring to a new location

An apple tree of any age can be transplanted to a new location if necessary. This procedure won't bring much benefit to the tree, but it will help solve a specific problem facing the gardener. To ensure the apple tree survives the transplant successfully, it is recommended to do it when the sap is not flowing, for example, in early spring.

Purpose of transplantation

Think carefully before planting a fruit tree seedling in its permanent location to avoid having to replant it later. Transplanting, regardless of the purpose or circumstances, always has a negative impact on a tree of any age.

Why do you need to transplant an apple tree?

1. If the trees in your orchard have grown too large and are shading each other due to being planted too close together, they need space and sunlight to reach their full potential—producing large, sweet apples in abundance.
2. If an apple tree is experiencing slow growth and development due to unsuitable soil structure, the soil in which the tree is growing can be fertilized, but its deep structure cannot be changed. There are two solutions: removing the tree completely to improve the soil structure, or replanting it.
3. If a gardener changes the garden layout, for example, an apple tree may create shade that will interfere with other plants. Or, if the tree's location is replaced by something else, a gazebo, utility lines, etc.
4. Replanting may be necessary if the gardener is engaged in selection and growing seedlings for sale.
5. If a tree is regularly flooded by groundwater or spring water, this situation arises due to poor planting location. It's important to consider the groundwater level and the site's susceptibility to flooding from rain and meltwater.

Planting dates

Gardeners often debate whether it's better to transplant an apple tree in spring or fall. It's hard to deny that fall is the best time. After transplanting, the tree needs time to establish roots and gain strength. If the tree is transplanted in spring, it has to expend energy on growing.

When is the best time to transplant an apple tree in spring?

• if the soil is not black earth;
• if it was dry and cold in the fall.

If you decide to transplant an apple tree in the spring, choose cloudy weather. Bright sun is not recommended for the transplanted tree.

Replanting fruit trees is strictly prohibited in summer. Only mature apple trees can be replanted in winter. However, the temperature must not fall below 5°C.

How to choose a location

Getting ready to spend replanting an apple tree in spring When transplanting a tree to a new location, it's important to carefully select it—to avoid the need to move it again. A gardener must consider all the intricacies of the transplant. Overlook any detail, and it will soon become clear that the tree was transplanted poorly.

How to choose a location for an apple tree:

1. Groundwater should not be closer than 2 meters to the soil surface. The length of the tree's root system, which varies depending on the variety, must be taken into account. If water reaches the roots, they will begin to rot, and eventually the tree will die.
2. The planting site should be protected from wind. Gusts of wind can damage the transplanted tree, which must adapt to its new location. Furthermore, winds and drafts will negatively impact the tree's development in the future.
3. The best soil type is loamy, fertile soil. Poor soils don't produce good apple yields. Clay, peaty, and sandy soils are unsuitable for planting.
4. When choosing a planting site, consider how large the tree will grow, the diameter of its crown, whether it has enough space, and whether it will shade neighboring trees. A watering source is also a good idea. The tree should never be left without water.

If there's no spot in the entire garden that meets 100% of the requirements, you'll have to make do with what you have. To improve the apple tree's growing conditions, you'll need to make some adjustments to the planting site. For example, adding the necessary fertilizers, creating an artificial mound, ensuring proper soil drainage, etc.

Preparing the hole and the seedling

Before replanting, you need to prepare the planting site and the tree being transplanted. The size of the hole will depend on the age of the apple tree. Young seedlings require particular preparation.

The hole for spring planting is prepared in the fall. The hole should be 1.5 times larger than the root ball. It is known that the root system diameter is approximately equal to the crown diameter, and the root ball should be at least 1/2 the crown's volume.

Read alsoHow to care for an apple tree in spring to ensure a good harvest As winter draws to a close, the fruit trees in your garden require preparation for spring bud break and subsequent fruiting. To ensure a good harvest, your trees need to be in the proper condition…

Features of preparing a hole for apple tree transplantation:

• a small layer of soil is placed at the bottom of the hole; it will settle by spring and the tree roots will not descend;
• a mixture of manure, compost, river sand and wood sawdust is poured onto the soil layer;
• If groundwater is too close to the surface of the earth - closer than 2 m, it is necessary to arrange drainage of crushed stone at the bottom of the pit at least 15 cm;
• on clay soils, the hole is made deeper than usual to lay a thick layer of drainage;
• If the transplant is carried out in sandy soil, instead of drainage, a water-retaining layer - silt or clay - is placed at the bottom of the hole.

How to prepare a seedling for transplantation:

1. Branches are trimmed back to 10-15 cm using sharp pruning shears. Failure to do so will cause the shoots to dry out. Pruning strengthens the tree's immunity and facilitates its adaptation to its new location. The specifics of branch pruning depend on the age of the tree being transplanted. All dead and damaged branches are removed.
2. The seedling is dug up after watering the soil. A circle is drawn around the tree, the diameter of which is equal to the length of the middle branch on the trunk. The soil is dug to a depth that will allow the tree to be removed. Once a circle with the tree at the center is formed, the soil is broken up so that only the main root is left. The tree is then transported to the planting site.
3. Roots – damaged and diseased roots are trimmed back to healthy tissue. Roots that are too long and protrude from the rest of the plant are shortened.

How to transport

Transportation details depend on the tree's size and the distance it must be moved. This stage requires extreme care to avoid damaging the apple tree's root system.

Transportation options:

• by hand - a small tree can be carried by holding its trunk;
• on burlap - convenient for carrying medium-sized trees;
• on a wooden shield - for mature trees.

Large, old trees can only be moved by machinery. If the apple tree is particularly valuable to the grower, an excavator must be hired.

The subtleties of replanting depending on the age of the tree

A tree's age affects not only its size but also its ability to adapt to a new location. The specifics of its transplantation depend on the tree's age.

Annual

At this age, apple trees easily take root and recover. Transplanting one-year-old seedlings is not a major problem and typically results in successful establishment in the new location.

Transplantation procedure:

1. Shorten the central root of a one-year-old seedling by 1/3.
2. Place a 1.2-1.3 m long support stake in the center of the prepared planting hole. The seedling will need to be tied to it after transplanting.
3. Carefully place the tree into the prepared hole so that the central root touches the mound of soil mixture, and distribute the remaining roots evenly along its slopes.
4. Place the seedling so that its root collar is 7-10 cm above the soil level. Once the soil settles, the distance will decrease to 5-6 cm.
5. Cover the roots first with humus, then with loose, fertile soil. Firm the soil with your feet, being careful not to damage the root collar. Compacting the soil is essential to eliminate air pockets between the roots.
6. Tie the seedling to the stake with twine. Wire should not be used, as it will damage the young tree's thin bark.
7. Create an earthen embankment around the perimeter. Step back about 50 cm from the tree trunk and dig a trench 30 cm deep around it. The earthen embankment will prevent water from overflowing from the hole.
8. Water the transplanted tree thoroughly, then mulch the hole with soil or humus. Mulch retains moisture, preventing soil crust formation and weed growth.

Two and three year old

At 2-3 years of age, apple trees most easily adapt to a new location. At this age, the tree accumulates strength to adapt to the new environment.

Features of the transplant:

• the tree is small in size, so transplantation can be done alone;
• The transplant is carried out using the transshipment method, removing the tree with soil and exposed roots.

The technology for replanting 2-3 year old apple trees is practically no different from transplanting one-year old seedlings:

1. The tree is dug up, removing the entire length of the central root.
2. The tree is lowered onto a mound of earth created in the planting hole. The roots are spread out over the mound and the trunk is tied to the support.
3. Pour 10 liters of water into the hole and wait for it to be absorbed.
4. They fill the hole with soil and compact it.
5. Water the tree again with one or two buckets of water.
6. Sprinkle the tree trunk circle with sawdust or pine needles.
7. Every week, 2-3 buckets of water are poured under the transplanted apple tree.

Four and five year olds

By the age of 4-5 years, an apple tree is a massive tree with a fairly large crown. Transplanting such trees is much more difficult than their 2-3-year-old counterparts.

Features of transplanting four- to five-year-old apple trees:

1. It is recommended to transplant such trees in the fall – in the spring the chances of their survival are too low.
2. The diameter of the root system reaches 1 m, and to dig up a 4-5 year old tree, you need an assistant;
3. To extract the roots from the soil, a board is used as a lever; it is placed under the root ball.
4. The roots sticking out from the root ball are trimmed.
5. To transport the apple tree to the planting site, you will need a cart or a carrying board.
6. Next, the transplant is carried out in the same order as for 2-3 year old apple trees.

Ten and fifteen years old

Transplanting a mature apple tree is difficult due to its bulk. It's impossible to do this job without help.

Features of the transplant:

1. It's recommended to replant 10- to 15-year-old trees in the spring. If you replant them in the fall, they risk not establishing roots before the frost sets in.
2. The depth of the extracted soil ball should be at least 0.6 m. Its width depends on the tree's age. For 6-8-year-old apple trees, the width should be 120-130 cm; for 9-12-year-old trees, 140-180 cm; and for 10-15-year-old trees, 200 cm.
3. Roots protruding from the root ball are trimmed or chopped off, depending on their thickness.
4. All cuts are treated with garden pitch.
5. It is recommended to tie the branches of mature apple trees with twine around the skeletal branches.
6. When the apple tree is transplanted, pruning is necessary.

Features of transplanting different types of apple trees

When replanting apple trees, it's important to consider not only their age but also their species characteristics. Currently, compact and productive trees—dwarf and columnar—are gaining popularity. When replanting these trees, there are some subtleties that gardeners should be aware of before relocating them.

Columnar

Columnar apple trees are compact trees that can be planted at 0.5 m intervals. One-year-old seedlings take root best. The transplanting technique is almost the same as for regular apple trees.

What to pay attention to when replanting columnar varieties:

• the best time for transplantation is the end of March - beginning of April;
• When digging, it is important not to damage the roots and leave more soil on them;
• The roots of columnar apple trees are compact and superficial, so there are no problems when digging them out;
• Columnar apple trees do not tolerate excess moisture, so a thick drainage layer is provided at the bottom of the hole.

Dwarf

Dwarf apple trees are planted at 2-meter intervals. Transplanting to a new location is carried out using standard techniques, but there are several important considerations. The intricacies of transplanting are primarily related to the peculiarities of the dwarf trees' root system—their roots grow almost along the ground surface, without penetrating deep into the soil.

Features of the transplant:

• planting hole depth – 50 cm, width – 70 cm;
• the root system is shallow, so it is easier to dig up a dwarf tree than a regular one;
• Since the root system of such apple trees is short, they can be planted in areas with shallow groundwater levels.

Errors during transplantation

Transplanted trees don't always adapt to their new location. Often, they root poorly, become stunted, and even die.

Common mistakes:

1. Inexperienced gardeners often transplant new trees in place of old ones. This is strictly prohibited. Where a mature apple tree has been growing for several years, the soil becomes depleted. If you plant another apple tree there, it will lag behind in growth, and the yield will drop significantly.
2. If the root collar is buried deeper than normal, the tree may not establish itself. Covered with soil, the root collar begins to rot. This leads to infection by infectious diseases and the death of the tree.
3. Many gardeners overwater a transplanted tree, hoping it will establish itself better and faster. However, overwatering actually negatively impacts survival.

Don't be afraid to transplant apple trees in the spring. Sometimes it's the only way to save the tree or increase its yield. If done correctly, taking into account the characteristics of the apple tree being transplanted, its age, and species, it will thrive and recover quickly.