Transplanting an Oak Tree Sapling....

Hi

I currently have a Oak Tree sapling growing in my back garden which I think is about 2-3 years old and I'd like to stick it in a pot and take it with me when I move house if I can...

I was thinking of keeping it in an large plant pot permanently but I don't know if it would cope.


Has anyone ever done this and could you offer me some tips please?

 

Hi and welcome to GC.

I believe any time now (provided the soil isn't frozen in your area yet) is the time to dig it up. Trees are best moved while dormant.

Just dig up the biggest root ball you can manage, so as to cause it the least distress. Once dug up, get it potted up and watered in asap.

 

Personally Iâ??d put it off a year. In the spring (when the tree is in leaf and photosynthesising) Iâ??d get a spade and slice down around the entire root base, this will cut the roots and encourage new fine root growth ready for the following season when you carry out the transplant. The tree will have a much better chance of surviving.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I'll be moving within a couple of months so I can't really put it off for a year unfortunately.

I never planted it in our back garden; it found its own way there. :hehe:

It is a very small garden and it is quite close to the house. The next tennants would surely kill it so I'd like to give it a chance to survive.

I'm concerned about moving it from one soil type to another though. My back garden is very waterlogged, very boggy. The soil at my new property is different. Dryer for one thing.