Transplantation is a process that interferes with the life of a tree. If done incorrectly, replanting can not only damage the apple tree, but also destroy it.
If each tree is immediately planted in the right place, replanting can be avoided.
Beginning summer residents often neglect this rule. But even experienced gardeners sometimes have situations in which they have to move apple trees from place to place.
Most often the question is “Is it possible and how to replant an apple tree for 3 - 5 years?”
occurs when you need to do a transplant when :
- Thickened plantings of fruit trees;
- Incorrect assessment of soil structure;
- Garden redevelopment.
Thickened plantings are the result of incorrect calculations , which are based on an incorrect assessment of the actual growth of apple trees.
Trees planted close to each other grow and prevent each other from developing well and bearing fruit abundantly.
It happens that the apple tree is located in a good place, it seems that nothing is stopping it from growing and developing.
This does not take into account the composition of the soil, the level of groundwater or spring flooding of the site.
With prolonged exposure to water on the root system, the tree is depressed and susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections. If you do not replant the apple tree in time, the ending will be sad.
Redevelopment is one of the common reasons for replanting fruit trees.
During their stay, owners of suburban areas have a need to build previously unplanned buildings: gazebos, verandas, garages, sheds. Often an apple tree can become a nuisance and has to be moved. RULE: The layout of an orchard is the key to good harvests!
Plan the location of your apple trees wisely. A rational approach to planning a summer cottage can greatly facilitate the care of an orchard.
Additional buildings may cause the apple tree to be replanted.
The reasons for moving trees can be different.
To make a transplant correctly , you need to know:
- At what age can a tree easily tolerate replanting?
- Is it possible to replant an old apple tree?
- What time is most favorable for replanting fruit trees?
Why is a transplant needed?
Fruit trees are moved to another location due to unsuitable conditions for normal vegetation and fruiting or due to redevelopment of the site.
Apple tree seedlings grown from root or green cuttings initially do not have enough space to develop.
Young and mature trees are replanted for various reasons:
- construction of a house, outbuilding or recreation area at the planting site;
- moving;
- oppression of neighboring plants due to failure to maintain distance;
- location of the apple tree in a flooded lowland or on a dry hill;
- decreased productivity due to soil composition.
The apple tree is moved to a new location if the groundwater level in the old one is above 1.8-2 meters. Water, in contact with the roots, blocks the access of oxygen, stopping the activity of beneficial microorganisms. With prolonged contact, root rot forms, fruiting and frost resistance are reduced.
Landing dates
Gardeners often argue when it is better to replant an apple tree - in spring or autumn. We have to admit that the best time for transplantation is autumn. After moving, the tree needs to take root and gain strength. If transplantation is done in the spring, the apple tree has to spend energy on the growing season.
When is the best time to replant an apple tree in the spring:
- if the soil is non-chernozem;
- if it was dry and cold in the fall.
If you decide to replant the apple tree in the spring, you need to choose cloudy weather. Bright sun is contraindicated for a transplanted tree.
In summer, replanting fruit trees is strictly prohibited. In winter, only mature apple trees can be replanted. But the temperature should not be less than +5°C.
Timing for spring transplantation of apple trees
In spring, planting times are short. Choose a moment when the average daily temperature is 0-5 °C, the buds have not yet opened, and the soil can be dug up. Dormant seedlings take root quickly and painlessly before the start of the growing season.
Timing for replanting crops in spring, depending on the area:
- central Russia, Moscow region - second or third ten days of April;
- southern regions - March 15-April 15;
- Siberia, Ural, Leningrad region - last ten days of April - mid-May.
If in the northern regions, due to early winter, transplantation is possible only in the spring, in other territories - in the spring and autumn.
When to replant apple trees
There is no correct deadline for work on the calendar. It is necessary to choose the right period so that the crop grows and tolerates planting more easily. There are several conditions for this.
Spring
Apple trees are most often replanted in spring. This is convenient, because with this method of planting, the plant can take root and recover during the warm season. This usually occurs when the air temperature has already risen above minus 5 degrees, and the soil temperature at the depth of the pit is not lower than + 10 degrees. It is best to prepare the pit in the fall, adding fertilizer to it according to the standard scheme.
Summer
It’s not a good idea to plant crops in the summer, much less replant them. In the first summer month, you can still carry out the procedure, but only for plants that have not yet reached three years of age. This time must be chosen in order to catch it, when small green branches are just becoming woody, and the growth of green mass is already ending.
Of course, it is much wiser and better to postpone the procedure of replanting the apple tree until the fall. If this option is not available, then it is necessary to use the transshipment method. However, even this does not guarantee a successful result.
Autumn
Planting in the fall gives the highest success rate. At this time, the plant no longer wastes its energy on growing vegetative parts, because it begins to prepare for winter. Therefore, the apple tree will be able to turn its forces to the root system. It is in the fall that the apple tree will best survive the planting process, also because during the winter it can harden and strengthen health and immunity.
You need to choose the right time for planting and not carry out the procedure when the autumn is too dry. Under conditions of severe drought, plants most often die after transplantation because they do not accumulate the required amount of water. It is believed that the time for replanting has come only when there are no leaves or fruits left on the apple tree. However, you need to choose a time so that the average daily air temperature is not lower than 10 degrees Celsius. At lower rates, the roots may not take root normally.
Selection of material for transplantation
Two-year-old trees take root better and grow. Choose local regionalized seedlings, taking into account the groundwater level. If the indicator is above 2 m, purchase semi-dwarf varieties, above 1.5 m - dwarf varieties.
High-quality material for transplantation has:
- root system of thick and small roots 40 cm long without growths or rot;
- trunk without swelling, spots, cracks, with green skin under the bark;
- 2-4 side branches;
- pronounced site of grafting.
The viability of the tree is determined by stretching the roots. If they stretch but do not tear, the seedling is not discarded. The apple tree should be without blossoming leaves, about 1.5 m high.
What to do if the roots are damaged
The life activity and further development of the apple tree largely depends on the functioning of the root system. If you damage the fibrous roots located on the tap root, nothing will happen. They will quickly recover and the apple tree will fully develop. Some gardeners cut them off completely after digging them up.
If you accidentally touch the taproot part, which is responsible for the movement of mineral components, this can negatively affect the growth of the apple tree. In such cases, you should immediately treat the damaged area with paraffin or antiseptic agents. This will preserve the tree and minimize negative consequences.
Pruning during transplantation
The method of pruning during replanting depends on the age of the fruit tree. Pinch the top of a one-year-old by 8-10 cm. For a two-year-old seedling, to form the skeleton of the crown, leave 3-4 strong shoots, shorten them by a third.
In the fourth year of the apple tree’s life, form the second tier of the crown, cut off the top above its branching by 20-30 cm. Shorten the branches of the first and second order by a third.
In an adult crop, cut off dried, frozen branches that obscure the conductor and interfere with skeletal development.
How to transport
Transportation features depend on the size of the tree and the distance over which it has to be moved. This stage requires maximum care so as not to damage the root system of the apple tree.
Transportation options:
- by hand – a small tree can be moved by grasping its trunk;
- on burlap – convenient to carry medium-sized trees;
- on a wooden board - for mature trees.
Large old trees can only be moved using machines. If the apple tree is very valuable to the gardener, he has to hire an excavator.
Preparing the site and soil
The apple tree is an unpretentious crop, but, like other fruit trees, it loves the sun, warmth, and space. To protect against cold winds from the north side, plant rowan, bird cherry, and decorative maple.
The soil is suitable drained, moist, with a pH of 6 to 7. To determine the acidity level, use litmus paper. Fill the soil taken from a depth of 30 cm with distilled water and take measurements. If there is excess acidity when digging, add ash and slaked lime at the rate of 1 cup per 1 square meter. m. Replace the alkaline soil from the pit with ready-made compounds - “Ecoflora”, “Aquays”, “Garden soil” .
Trees on chernozem, loamy, sandy loam soil show high productivity. Solonchak, podzolic, and peat-podzolic soils are not suitable.
For 1-2 year old seedlings, dig a planting hole 50-60 cm deep and 60-80 cm in diameter. Use a crowbar to loosen the bottom, make drainage from crushed stone, broken brick, slate.
If the soil is loamy, pour into the hole prepared in the fall:
- a bucket of humus, compost;
- 1 kg of wood ash;
- 100 g of potassium sulfate;
- 2 kg of superphosphate.
Dilute clay soil with river sand (50 kg per 1 sq. m), sandy soil with peat or clay (2 buckets). To avoid burns, sprinkle garden soil on top.
When preparing a pit for an adult apple tree, focus on the size of the earthen ball. The depth should be 1.5 times the height, the width should be sufficient to accommodate the earthen lump. Fill the hole one third with earth mixed with 500 g of ash and 250 g of superphosphate. Organic and mineral additives are not required for chernozem.
The distance between apple trees depends on the variety. The pit is prepared for columnar apple trees at intervals of 1 m, dwarf ones - 2-2.5 m, semi-dwarf ones - 3-4 m. Tall varieties require more space - 4-5 m.
Methods for transplanting an apple tree
The method of moving a fruit tree to a new location depends on its age. There are two known methods - with and without an earthen clod.
Transplanting seedlings
Algorithm for planting one to three year old trees:
- in the prepared hole, make a mound at the bottom;
- stepping back a little from the center, drive a two-meter stake;
- Place the tree on the top of the cone, straighten the roots along the slopes, avoiding creases;
- fill the hole with fertile soil, compacting it periodically so that air pockets do not form;
- tie the trunk to the support with twine;
- pour 40-50 liters of water generously;
- mulch the planting with a 5-centimeter layer of humus and peat.
When trampling the soil, make sure that the root collar is 3-6 cm above the surface. Finding this place is not difficult. Wipe the area where the trunk meets the roots with a damp cloth. The area where the bark has changed color from greenish to light brown is the upper border of the root collar.
For irrigation, it is not necessary to make an earthen bank around the circumference. The roots will absorb all the water if you form the trunk circle in the shape of a saucer.
Replanting a young tree
To move a 4-10 year old apple tree to a new location, you will need an assistant, strong boards, a garden cart, and burlap.
Transplant technology:
- Water the tree trunk generously to soften the soil;
- dig a trench around the roots with a diameter equal to the width of the crown;
- using boards and garden tools, lift the tree along with the earthen ball to the surface;
- cut off the protruding roots, sprinkle the cuts with ash;
- wrap the lump in burlap, fine mesh, secure it at the root collar;
- load the apple tree onto a cart and transport it to the prepared pit;
- Place a tree in the hole, install 3-4 stakes around the edges, cover with earth, compact the surface;
- fix the trunk in a vertical position, tie it with a strong rope to the supports;
- water, mulch.
Within the site, a young tree with bare roots is replanted in the spring. But this method increases the risk of crop death.
Transplanting a mature tree
Experienced gardeners and agronomists advise replanting apple trees no older than 15 years, except for those grafted on a dwarf rootstock. The latter are moved around the site at a more mature age.
Carry out the event with an adult tree in the spring using the same technology as with a young one, taking into account some nuances:
- to preserve the crown, before digging up the roots, press the branches and tie them to the trunk;
- in the new area, orient the apple tree relative to the cardinal directions in the same way as in the old one;
- if the hole is far away, wrap the earthen ball with a tarpaulin and cover it with slats;
- Use a winch to remove tall varieties.
The likelihood of survival will increase with proper further care.
Features of the root system
The root system is the basis of any plant. In total, scientists distinguish two types of systems:
- Fibrous. This is a branched system, with a large number of small roots radiating from the trunk. Such a system is extremely rare in trees, since it does not promote fixation in the soil. A large trunk with such roots would simply fall over from a small wind. This system is typical for various types of grain crops, grass and weeds.
- Rod. Almost all trees have such systems. With a core system, a large vertical root first grows, which deepens the entire system in advance. Other roots grow from it: skeletal and fibrous.
Ultimately, it is the skeletal and root system that helps anchor the system in the ground. Based on their functions, roots can be divided into:
- Conductive. Due to their large thickness, the conducting roots cannot obtain food for the tree. Their main role is to consolidate in the soil, accumulate nutrients and deliver them to the leaves. If we draw analogies, then the conducting roots can be called the pumping station of the entire tree.
- Suction. Absorbing roots are the water intake of the system; they release moisture and minerals from the soil. This is what fibrous roots do. Due to its small thickness, it becomes possible to use the capillary effect, when water itself rises through cavities of small diameter.
Separately, it is worth noting that suction roots have a tremendous ability to regenerate. However, this does not mean that when replanting an apple tree you can simply cut off all the fibrous roots. This will cause the tree to slowly die. At the same time, tap and skeletal roots are quite large in diameter, but are extremely reluctant to recover. Therefore, when removing a seedling from the ground, the shovel is inserted extremely carefully, and at the slightest resistance from the roots, starting to dig in another place.
Features and timing of culture transplantation
Each season is a different part of the apple tree's life cycle. Therefore, it is better to talk about each case separately.
Spring
Spring is a relatively good option for transplanting. At this time, the movement of sap in the tree is just beginning. The ideal time for replanting would be early spring. Replanting at this time of year would be a good option for warm areas, because on the one hand, the tree needs to be replanted in early spring, and on the other, it is desirable that the ground is already slightly warmed up.
Separately, it is worth saying that in the spring the tree requires increased watering. Without constant replenishment of moisture every 2-3 days, the seedling may not survive the year. This is necessary because the transplant is carried out at a time when the whole year is ahead with flowering stages and an active summer. That is, the tree needs to very quickly grow back the root system that was damaged during replanting.
Spring = good time of year to replant an apple tree
Regardless of the time of year, the seedling must be pruned when transplanting. Roots are always damaged when moving a tree - this is normal. But the existing crown is designed for a healthy and complete root system. Therefore, it is important to bring the crown in line with the capabilities of the roots.
Autumn
Autumn is the best time to transplant any fruit trees. To be more precise, trees are replanted in late autumn, when the tree has already stopped all life processes and does not need to constantly fully use the root system. After replanting, the tree must be insulated with straw, and the bottom of the trunk is tied with pine needles. Ideally, the straw should be soaked in some kind of rodent-proofing liquid.
Summer
Replanting in the summer is an extremely bad idea. You should decide on it only as a last resort, when you can’t wait for a hedgehog, and the tree urgently needs to come down. For transplantation in the summer, choose a cold, cloudy day. It is mandatory to cut off 30-50% of the foliage. After the tree is moved to a new location, it is intensively watered and fed with fertilizers.
Care after transplant
In a new place, keep the tree trunk clean, weed the weeds, and loosen the soil. After irrigation during transplantation, water the crop three times - after 2 weeks, a month, and during leaf fall, 40 liters each.
Periodically update the mulch, which retains moisture, prevents the formation of an earthen crust, and accumulates vermicompost. For mulching, use lowland peat, compost, and rotted manure.
For the first 2 years, the tree is not fed, since the planting hole contains enough organic matter and minerals.
To prevent diseases and pests, apple trees weakened by transplantation are not treated with chemicals. When attacking bark beetles, use a solution of washing soda; to destroy fungal spores, use 25 percent urea.
A fruit tree, replanted taking into account age, timing, and technology, will delight you with a bountiful harvest; comprehensive care will bring this event closer.
Fertilizer application and drainage
When replanting a tree, it is necessary to prepare a drainage layer. To make it, you need to pour stones and large crushed stones onto the ground. Cover everything on top with sea sand. To prevent moisture from stagnating in one place, you need to dig special channels to drain the water.
Manure is the best fertilizer for apple trees
Don’t forget about fertilizers, which will help the transplanted plant take root faster. To fertilize the soil you should use:
- wood ash;
- humus;
- manure;
- litter;
- sulfate;
- saltpeter
Additional Information! To protect the root system from hypothermia, the surface of the soil near the trunk should be covered with sawdust, straw or hay.
