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Re: Need transplanting advice

Had the leaves changed color before the tree was dug? If they had, the tree is
more or less finished with them for the year and the wilting will be of very
little consequence. The transplanting job is best done in fall AFTER the leaves
have fallen, but it seems to me that the landscaper is very careless in his
professional work. I don't know about New Jersey, but in Minnesota, you do not
have to know a lot about plants to be a landscaper. I am a horticultural
technical writer for a large garden center here, and part of my job is helping
our landscapers know what they were not taught. You are right to keep the tree
watered. Many homeowners think that after the leaves fall, deciduous trees
don't need water anymore. They need less, but certainly after a tree has been
dug, most of its feeder roots have been removed and it is at a great
disadvantage to obtain water. After it is planted (don't add amendments to the
planting hole, put them on top of the soil after the hole is filled), keep it
watered deeply once a week until the ground freezes. Like everything else, once
size does not fit all. If the soil is heavy clay, only water when you can stick
your finger into the loose fill and find it dry. Good luck.

Sharon Stewart wrote:

> Hello,
>  I've been a list member for a while, but this is my first post. I'm looking
> for some help for my neighbor's plum tree.
>
> They've hired a landscaper to do quite a bit of work on their property. One
> of the jobs is to move a plum tree that was planted by the builder about 4
> or 5 years ago. This is my neighbor's favorite tree--it was planted too
> close to the house and has grown quite large. The landscaper showed up at
> the beginning of the week and dug out the tree. They wrapped the root ball
> in burlap, then in plastic tarp tied at the trunk and left it. By friday to
> the poor thing was wilted so I called them and suggested they water it. They
> said they had just called the landscaper and he said not to worry the tree
> was "just going into shock",  it would be fine until Monday. I couldn't
> stand to see it suffer so I put a hose on it.
>
> They must have called him back because first thing this morning the
> landscaper was here to move the tree. He moved it, but just left it in the
> hole with no dirt. I assume he plans to fill in the hole on Monday.
>
> My neighbor loves this tree and wants to make sure it survives (not to
> mention the landscaper is charging her $200 to move it and won't guarantee
> it since he didn't buy it). She's looking to me for advice, but everything I
> say is contradicted by the landscaper. I'm no expert so I'm hoping someone
> here can help. What can she do to help this tree make it?  This guy has dug
> out quite a few trees and just left them sitting out in full sun with no
> water and nothing covering the root ball. I'm just shaking my head.
>
> We are in Zone 6 New Jersey, our evenings have been cool but our days have
> been very warm. The tree is in full sun.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> Thank you
>
> Sharon Stewart
> Sharon@stewartcentral.com
>
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