Helping Trees to Recover after Transplant Shock

Getting a healthy start in a new location before transplanting trees is vital for recovery from transplant shock. If a tree is too stressed before being transplanted, it may experience more severe symptoms. To avoid stress, it is best to transplant trees in the early spring or late fall. Excessive heat or cold will worsen the shock a tree can experience. The best time to transplant a tree is early spring or late fall.

Watering thoroughly after transplanting the tree is critical for its recovery. Make sure to water deeply and provide adequate drainage. The use of anti-transpiration sprays can help plants retain water, but these may alter the natural processes that the tree needs. To prevent the onset of transplant shock, ensure that the planting hole is as deep as the root ball is deep. The deeper the hole is, the less likely a tree will experience transplant shock.

When transplanting a tree, it is important to avoid disturbing the roots. If possible, avoid agitating the soil and shake the tree’s pot. When handling the tree, always ensure that the roots are intact. The tips of the roots are the most important parts of the tree, so don’t cut them or pull them up to fit into the planting hole. To minimize the risk of transplant shock, plant-handling is the best way to ensure that a tree’s root system remains healthy and strong.