What Season Should I Relocate My Trees and Why?

Whenever we're doing a Tree Job in Danbury we get asked a slew of questions.  One of the most common questions is 'What Season is Best to Relocate My Trees?'  Directly from the experts at Kleber C's Danbury Tree Service - here's our answer!

Each year when the seasons change, people are anxious to pull out their gardening tools and head for the yard.  Perennials are blooming, new annuals are being selected, and pruning is taking place all over the landscape.  It’s also a good time to decide if you would like to change things up for a better design or different look for the warmer seasons.

While some may think that this is the right time to relocate trees on their property, waiting until fall is actually the ideal season.  There are several reasons for waiting those few extra months, which will ensure the most successful transplant for your cherished trees.

Although falling leaves and wilting greenery may appear to be a dangerous time to make the move, there are actually good reasons that we may overlook.  Let’s take a look at those important factors.

The Dormant Season

Much like some insects and animals going into hibernation, trees enter a dormant season for the winter.  Their growth, metabolism and the energy they use slow down, keeping them alive during the winter months.  The first signs that they are entering the dormant season is when the trees lose their leaves.

The energy they have stored is located in the roots.  Moving the tree during the dormant season gives it time to anchor its new roots and stock up on nutrients before dormancy is over.  This is the best time for relocating the tree.

Warm and Nutritious Soil

Soil has the perfect conditions in the fall for relocating trees.  The opposite is true for winter relocation, where root damage can occur by frost in the soil, and a frozen ground makes the process much harder all the way around.  Fall is ideal because the warm soil encourages root growth which helps maintain the newly relocated trees.  Areas that are still relatively warm in the winter months should still do their relocating in the fall.

Heat Can Harm Your Uprooted Trees

Transplanting your trees during the hottest season can actually send your tree into fatal shock.  Great care needs to be taken when relocating trees. When done improperly, you take the risk of your tree not regaining its healthy state.  Each job of moving your trees to a new location will differ in the easiness of the task.  Factors are determined by the size of the tree, what kind it is, and the current health of the tree.  A professional in tree care can help you with their knowledge and advice.

Keep in mind that this is different than when you bring a plant or tree home from a store and plant it for the first time.  The young plants were dormant when potted in containers.  It is the uprooting of established trees that bring the stress to the tree.  From the store to your home, the first time putting the plants in the ground is considered planting, not transplanting.

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