When is transplanting the right choice?
The majority of tree transplantations are a simple case of ‘right tree, wrong place’.
A homeowner might want to move a tree as part of a larger landscaping project, to reduce overcrowding, or to let more sunlight into their backyard. People moving house sometimes choose to take a tree with them, especially if it has significant sentimental or cultural value.
In a commercial context, a developer might want their finished build to have all the benefits of mature trees, without having to wait years for them to grow - so they’ll source the trees from a nursery and replant them onsite.
Transplanting can also be entirely for the tree’s benefit; a tree that was planted in the wrong place and is suffering due to suboptimal conditions can be moved to a more suitable location where it will thrive.
We’ve also completed a number of projects where our clients were undertaking major external renovations, and wanted to temporarily relocate a favourite tree to prevent any damage during the build. During these projects we store and care for the tree at our Kainga site, and replant it once the building work is complete.
One of our favourite transplantation projects involved clearing a huge grove of walnut trees to make room for a new development. We carefully moved each tree into temporary storage, with each tree’s root ball safely wrapped to protect the roots and prevent the soil from drying out. While we looked after the trees in their temporary home, we worked with the Christchurch City Council to find new locations. Many of these walnut trees have already found new homes in parks and greenspaces across the city - a fitting second life for these majestic giants!
Tree transplantation best practices
Unless it’s done with extreme care, transplantation can be a stressful and potentially damaging process for the tree.
This is where our Tree Spade really shines; its angled blades dig into the soil around the tree, allowing us to scoop up the tree, roots, and surrounding soil in one movement. We can then move the tree while it’s still securely held by the Tree Spade. This minimises the chance of root damage, reduces stress on the tree, and is a lot more efficient than removing a tree by hand!
During the planning process, we work closely with our clients to ensure that the tree is being moved to a location with the right conditions for the tree’s age and species.
Timing is also important; we prefer to complete transplants in late Autumn or very early Spring, when the tree is dormant. Dormancy means the tree isn’t currently producing new growth, so it can use all of its resources to adapt to its new location and repair any root damage.
If you’re thinking about a tree transplantation, contact our team. We can talk you through the process and provide a customised quote for your project.
