Agricultural Extension Service

The University of Tennessee

SP 572

Transplanting
Trees

David S. Vandergriff Wayne K. Clatterbuck

Area Specialist Associate Professor
Ornamental Horticulture Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries

Successfully transplanting trees depends on deci- Trees experience tremendous stress in the trans-
sions and production practices that take place long before planting process, primarily from adverse changes in their
the first shovel of soil is turned. Selecting the right species ability to absorb water due to root loss. Water stress is the
and high-quality nursery stock based on planting site char- primary cause of transplant failure. Root loss affects hor-
acteristics, available care after planting, transplant size, root mone synthesis and distribution that regulate shoot growth.
ball characteristics and nursery production practices is es- Root loss also reduces carbohydrate storage, affecting en-
sential to successful transplanting. The rewards for atten- ergy available for rapid root regeneration, critical for trans-
tion to these details will be realized as the transplanted tree plant survival. The ability of a tree to maintain sufficient
matures and increases its importance to your property. vigor while recovering from the adversities of transplant-
ing will determine its success or failure.
Trees have traditionally been offered for sale in
the nursery trade using three methods: bare-root, balled and
burlapped (B&B), and containers including pot-in-pot and
David Vandergriff

in-ground fabric containers.

Bare–Root
Bare-root production systems have several advan-
tages. Bare-root trees can be produced less expensively than
trees produced in other systems due to easier digging, stor-
ing and shipping, since the soil is not kept with the roots
when the tree is dug. The root system can be inspected, and
inferior or defective roots can be removed. The range of
tree sizes is limited in bare-root transplants due to the in-
(a) ability to move larger trees successfully. Seasonal constraints

David Vandergriff
David Vandergriff

(b) (c)
Examples of (a) bare-root, (b) balled and burlapped, and
(c) above ground pot-in-pot nursery production systems.
are greater in this production system because bare-root trees should be watered well prior to transporting and should be
should be dug and transplanted during the dormant season covered to reduce water loss. Plant the trees as soon as they
(December-March). Careful handling of bare-root trans- arrive at the planting site. If this is not possible, water the
plants is necessary to avoid root desiccation. Bare-root trees trees well and place them in a holding area away from wind
often require staking to avoid windthrow following leaf and the direct sun. B&B trees should be healed-in to protect
emergence. the root ball from desiccation if immediate planting is not
possible. Regular watering should be provided until the
Balled and Burlapped planting is completed.
Balled and burlapped (B&B) is the most traditional
method of transplanting trees. These trees are available in a Planting
wide range of sizes and are commonly found in nurseries. The most common mistakes in transplanting trees
Compared to bare-root transplants, B&B trees can be planted are planting too deep, and over or under watering. Careful
over a longer period of time and have less stringent han- attention to properly preparing the planting hole greatly in-
dling and storage requirements. B&B trees can be hand dug creases the odds of successfully transplanting trees. The
or dug with mechanical tree spades. B&B trees can be trans- planting hole should be at least three times as wide as the
planted anytime the ground is not frozen. The shape of the root ball, have sloped sides, and be no deeper than the
root ball can be easily altered to facilitate special planting rootball. Plant the tree about two inches higher than the sur-
conditions such as compacted or high water table soils. The rounding ground to allow settling of the root ball and pre-
need for staking following planting is less likely due to the vent ponding of water at the tree base. If the tree is bare-
weight of the soil in the root ball. root, be sure to spread the roots before backfilling. If a con-
The primary disadvantage to B&B trees is that usu- tainer tree is being planted, be sure to cut and spread out the
ally 95 percent of the original root system of the tree is left in roots to prevent girdling.
the field. The weight of the soil on larger B&B trees results After the tree is set in the planting hole at the proper
in increased shipping costs and the possible need for spe- depth, gently remove the pinning nails or rope lacing so the
cialized equipment to handle and plant the trees. burlap can be cut and removed from the sides of the root
ball. The burlap at the bottom of the root ball should be left.
Above-Ground Containers Removing the bottom burlap may injure the roots. If a wire
A tree produced in an above-ground container has basket has been used, cut away as much of the basket as
the advantage of being transplanted with all of its root sys- possible without disturbing the root ball. This will avoid
tem. The well-drained artificial media used in above-ground any conflicts with the roots or with any equipment used later
containers is considerably lighter than field soils found in
B&B trees, making these trees less expensive to transport
and easier to handle. The use of in-ground fabric containers Prune codominant leaders
DO NOT prune terminal
leader or branch tips
may also reduce the weight of the treeball. Trees produced
in above-ground containers are available for planting any Prune rubbing or
cross branches
time of year, as long as the soil is not frozen.
The major disadvantage of above-ground container Prune narrow crotch angles
and water spouts
production is increased defects, such as girdling roots and DO NOT stake or wrap
trunk unless necessary
lethal high root temperatures on the south and west sides of
the container. Above-ground containers are subject to blow- Prune broken branches

ing over in winds at the nursery, causing wounds to the tree. Remove tags and labels

Pot-in-pot production systems reduce both the lethal root

temperatures on the south and west sides of the pot and the Prune suckers
2”-3” mulch kept away from trunk
incidence of blowing over. Cut away all balling ropes
Soil well to contain water
Remove top of wire basket
Pre-plant Handling UNAMENDED backfill soil
Careful handling of the root ball is absolutely nec- Partially backfill, water to
Widen and score settle soil, finish backfilling
essary to prevent damage to the tree prior to transplanting. hole wall
Area for water drainage
Root balls are fragile regardless of the production technique Remove container and cut circling (pipe or tile could be installed)
roots if container-grown, or as much
used; however, B&B trees and those in soft fabric contain- burlap as possible if field-grown Leave solid soil pedestal -
do not dig deeper than ball depth
ers are the most easily damaged. Never pick up or carry a
tree by its trunk, especially a B&B tree, due to the weight of
Dig hole 2-3 times root ball width
the root ball. Always secure the tree during transport so the
root ball is not damaged, resulting in broken roots. Trees Source: Appleton and French 1995

2
if the tree dies and the stump is removed. Remove any rope The need for watering following transplanting can-
or other tying materials, plant tags or labels from the trunk not be overemphasized. The larger the tree that is trans-
to avoid girdling. planted, the more watering is necessary. Tree wraps are not
Gently backfill the planting hole with the soil that necessary following transplanting, as research has shown
was removed from the hole with no additional amendments. that they have no beneficial effects. Loose-fitting guards
If amendments are used, differences in soil pore sizes will may be installed for protection from animal or equipment
be created causing problems with water movement, water damage as long as they permit good air circulation.
retention and root growth between the root ball, planting Careful attention to details in tree planting will im-
hole and surrounding soil. When the hole is about halfway prove the probability of success. Correctly planted trees will
filled in, pack the soil tightly and water the tree to settle any bring years of enjoyment and will enhance your property.
air pockets and to assure good contact between the soil and
tree roots. Finish backfilling the hole, then water the tree
thoroughly.
Mulch should be placed around newly planted trees
to help conserve moisture and reduce competition for mois-
ture from turfgrass. Be careful not to over-mulch (2 to 3
inches is the optimum depth), keeping the mulch 6 inches
away from the trunk of the tree to avoid disease problems
and rodent damage.
If fertilizer is applied at planting, use a slow-release
fertilizer at a rate not to exceed 1 lb. of actual nitrogen per
1,000 sq. ft. Avoid using fast-release fertilizers to avoid root
burn. Staking should only be done if absolutely necessary
and any stakes should be removed within a year following
planting. Be careful that the staking materials do not injure
the trunk of the tree or girdle the tree. Prune only broken or
diseased limbs at planting.

Transplanting Guidelines

1. Plan ahead to match the species to the area or site to be planted, i.e., plant the right tree in the right place. Is
the site appropriate for the tree that you want to place there?

2. Select high-quality plants without visible damage at the nursery or local garden center. Look for vigorous
growth, good leaf color and roots that are white and firm.

3. Be careful in handling and transporting the tree to the planting site. Take extra care not to damage the bark or
the root system.

4. Properly prepare the planting hole. The hole should be at least three times as wide as the root ball, have sloped
sides and be no deeper than the root ball.

5. Plant the tree as soon as possible. Do not use soil amendments. Backfill with the same soil which was removed
from the hole. Mulch.

6. Water, but do not overwater, newly transplanted trees. Irrigate slowly so that water infiltrates and soaks the
ground. Watering for several years, especially during droughty periods, may be necessary until the tree is fully
established.

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 David Vandergriff
References

Gilman, Edward F. 1997. Trees for Urban and Suburban

Landscapes. Delmar Publishers, Albany, New York.

Harris, J, Roger and Nina L. Bassuck. 1993. Tree planting

fundamentals. Journal of Arboriculture 19(2): 64-70.

Appleton, Bonnie L. and Susan French. 1995. Tree and shrub

planting guidelines. Publication 430-295. Virginia Coop- Circling roots are common in containerized plants. Roots should be cut
erative Extension, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA. in a few places to initiate new roots and prevent circling roots from
eventually girdling the tree trunk.

David Vandergriff
David Vandergriff

Mechanical tree spade. Fabric container grow bag.

Appreciation is expressed to Sam Jackson for design of this publication.

SP 572 - 15M - 12 - 00 R12 - 4910 - 21 - 004 - 01

The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or veteran status and is an Equal
Opportunity Employer. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and county governments cooperating in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
Agricultural Extension Service Charles L. Norman, Dean

Printing for this publication was funded by the USDA Forest Service through a grant with the Tennessee Department of
Agriculture, Division of Forestry. The Trees for Tennessee Landscapes series is sponsored by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.

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