Trees cannot possibly keep all of its roots while being moved, which means that the process begins with tree root pruning. Tree root pruning will create a new root ball which will be transported with the rest of the tree to the new location. It is hard to give any sort of recommendation as to the amount of tree roots to prune because every tree’s root system is different. Obviously, try not to cut too many roots and call an arborist at VanCuren to cut them if you are not quite sure at any point.

Planting large trees is a dangerous task for yourself and for your tree, so the professionals at VanCuren strongly suggest only trying to transplant small or young trees. We would consider a small tree to have roots that are no thicker than two inches wide and/or are two inches in diameter. If you are looking to transplant a bigger or older tree, check with an arborist first to assess the situation and then let the professionals do the transplanting for you. This way, there is less chance of something going awry or of killing your tree. Keep in mind that when transplanting a tree, even when following best practices, there is no guarantee that your tree will survive.

Your tree may even survive a transplant initially and show no signs of harm, but the determining factor will be the ability of the tree’s roots to regrow. This is why it is important to keep enough of the roots attached when trimming and to use clean cuts when root pruning.

Cleveland tree company VanCuren tree care is here to help you with transplanting your tree and to offer advice. . Our team of experts can also provide an inspection of your tree before the transplantation process to make sure your tree is in good health to transplant. We also provide other tree services like tree trimming and tree removal, just give us a call!

The newly planted or transplanted tree is probably going through what arborists call transplant shock. This is the term to describe a list of problems that your tree might be experiencing after being planted or transplanted such as: dropping leaves, brown leaf tips, leaf scorch, and branch dieback.

The good news is that as long as you catch it and work on it early on, there is a good chance that the tree will be able to bounce back. A dead tree and a tree in shock will look very similar. Here’s how to tell the difference: choose any twig and scratch it with a pocket knife or your fingernail. Repeat this on a few other random twigs. If you find bright green and a bit of moisture underneath then your tree is alive!

Why does tree transplant shock occur?

Trees struggle when being planted or transplanted from stress. A tree may lose a lot of its root system in the process, sometimes up to 95%. In addition to that, the small amount of roots left become dry and brittle while waiting to be replanted.

What is the solution?

Every week, water your tree’s roots with at least one inch of water. After that, add between 2-4 inches of mulch starting at the base of the tree and extend to the outermost leaves. Lastly, pull the mulch away from the trunk of the tree so that there is about a 4 inch gap for the tree to breathe. If this doesn’t work, consider how you planted the tree: was the hold deep enough or the right size? Making the right size hole when planting is crucial to the process and reduces a tree’s stress.

Once you have identified tree transplant shock and tried these solutions, it might take some patience on your part. It can take up to 5 years for a tree to become fully adjusted to its new Cleveland Heights location, but usually it only takes 1-2 years for most trees. If you have more questions about tree planting or transplant shock, you can call the professionals at Cleveland Heights tree removal company, VanCuren,  who will provide expert advice for your tree. We are also available for other tree services including tree trimming and tree removal.