How to transplant an apple tree to a new place in the summer

Many gardeners are engaged in transplanting apple trees. In the process, everything must be done correctly, as mistakes can lead to the death of the tree. Therefore, it is necessary to figure out in advance how to transplant an apple tree and when it is better to do it.

When you may need a transplant

First you need to figure out when you need to plant a tree in a new place. There are several situations when replanting an apple tree is simply necessary:

• Thickened fit. Some inexperienced gardeners miscalculate the distance between fruit trees. This causes them to land too close together. Plants that do not have enough free space begin to grow and develop worse. Therefore, it is better to transplant them.
• Unsuitable soil. Sometimes people choose an area with unsuitable soil for planting an apple tree. In such soil, the root system of the tree is weakened and poorly developed, which leads to the appearance of diseases.
• Redevelopment of the garden area. This is the most common reason why an apple tree is transplanted to a new place in the summer. Most often, the redevelopment of the garden is associated with the construction of a gazebo in it or the planting of new plants.

Transplanting apple trees is a difficult procedure that requires certain knowledge and skills from a person.

What you need to know about the root system before transplanting

It is no secret that trees are held in the soil by their root system. That is why, before planting an apple tree in a new place, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of the structure of the roots. The root system consists of three types of roots:

• Fibrous. They are responsible for delivering nutrients to the stem and main root. Such roots recover very quickly. Therefore, if you accidentally damage them during the transplanting process, the plant will not die and will grow well.
• Rod. With their help, nutrients are supplied to the branches and leaves of the tree. Taproots are very long. Some of them can grow 10-15 meters into the ground.
• Vertical. Such roots are responsible for the resistance of the plant and for the delivery of water from the soil to the trunk. They can grow to a depth of 8-10 meters.

At what age to transplant apple trees

Many gardeners do not know when to transplant an apple tree from place to place. It is believed that transplanting should be done no more than three times from the seed. Therefore, the procedure is best carried out in the first three years after planting in the ground.

Young seedlings are ideal for replanting

At such an early age, the plant has not yet fully formed the root system. Thanks to this, the tree will be able to better adapt to new conditions. It is best to transplant a plant that is no more than a year old to a new site. They will take root faster than two or three year old apple trees.

List of tools

Picture 3. The shovel is the main tool that is often used for transplanting

Before transplanting an adult apple tree, you must prepare the tools in advance. To transplant a tree, you will need the following equipment:

• Fork and garden shovel - for digging up an apple tree and preparing a new planting hole.
• Wooden or iron pegs. They will be used as a support for the transplanted tree.
• Ropes. With their help, the apple tree will need to be tied to the supports dug into the ground.
• Gardening scissors. Can be useful if you have to prune shoots.

Features of transplant taking into account age

The transplanting process may have certain characteristics that depend on the age of the tree.

One-year-olds

The transplant of annual plants should be carried out in the fall, since during this period young apple trees take root much better. You need to dig up the tree in September or early October. After that, you should start shortening the root system. It must be shortened by one third. This is done to speed up the formation and strengthening of the suction roots.

Three-year and two-year trees

You can plant more mature apple trees in a new place both in the autumn and in the summer. In this case, the plants must be transplanted together with a lump of soil. It is not recommended to expose the root system. This can lead to the fact that after transplanting the tree will not take root well.

Transplanting certain species

Many novice gardeners are interested in how to transplant an apple tree of one kind or another.

Dwarf trees are easiest to replant

There are three types of apple trees, the transplant of which has different characteristics:

• Columnar. It is recommended to transplant such apple trees in the spring. April or early next month is ideal for this, when the frost is completely over. Columnar plants are distinguished by a wide and overgrown root system. Therefore, you need to dig them out very carefully so as not to damage the roots.
• Dwarf. These trees are unpretentious and feel comfortable even in shaded areas. When transplanting such apple trees, you must be careful and maintain a distance of at least three meters from neighboring plants.
• Creeping. Is it possible to transplant a creeping apple tree in summer or autumn? This is actually quite difficult to do. The root system of such trees grows quickly and takes up a lot of space. Therefore, transplanting should be done only if the tree is less than three years old.

Digging features

In order for the transplant to give a good result, you need to familiarize yourself with how to properly dig up trees. It is necessary to remove plants from the soil very carefully so as not to damage the root system.

It is necessary to dig up the apple tree in such a way that the soil remains on the roots.

Two days before transplanting, it is necessary to add a huge amount of water under the root of the tree. This is done to soften the soil and make digging easier. After moistening the soil, the plant must be dug around the crown. A wooden plank is then set into the ground and used as a lever. It must be gradually lifted and carefully removed from the ground.

What to do if the roots are damaged

The vital 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 taproot, then nothing will happen. They will recover quickly and the apple tree will fully develop. Some gardeners, after digging them up, cut them off altogether.

If you accidentally touch the core part of the roots, which is responsible for the movement of mineral components, then this can negatively affect the growth of the apple tree. In such cases, you must immediately treat the site of damage with paraffin or antiseptic agents. This will preserve the tree and minimize negative consequences.

Fertilization and drainage

When transplanting a tree, it is imperative to prepare a drainage layer. To make it, it is necessary to pour stones and coarse gravel on the ground. Cover everything from above with sea sand. To prevent moisture from stagnating in one place, you need to dig out special channels to drain the water.

Manure is the best food for apple trees

Do not forget about fertilizers that will help the transplanted plant to take root faster. To feed the soil, you should use:

• wood ash;
• humus;
• manure;
• litter;
• sulfate;
• saltpeter.

Landing features

The transplanting process is carried out in several sequential stages:

1. Preparation of the landing pit. You need to dig a hole 10-15 days before planting. Its size should be such that the root system fits completely into it.
2. Digging up a tree. It must be carefully removed from the soil and carefully checked for pests. You also need to make sure that the root system is not damaged.
3. Landing. First, the dug tree must be carefully placed in the hole. The root collar should be slightly above the ground. The planted apple tree must be covered with soil and watered.

Care after landing

The transplanted apple tree must be properly looked after, observing the following recommendations:

• in the first month after planting in a new place, the tree should be watered no more than once a week;
• in mid-autumn, the soil should be mulched with peat and humus to protect the roots from frost;
• at the end of spring, pruning of shoots is carried out;
• in the first year during flowering, all flowers are removed from the planted tree;
• before the beginning of winter frosts, it is recommended to wrap the trunk with a cloth.

Peat - ideal for mulching soil

Transplanting apple trees is a procedure that a considerable number of gardeners have to deal with. Before doing this, you need to figure out whether it is possible to transplant an adult apple tree and how to do it.