I want to transplant a small Japanese Maple...?

Question

But the new location has rocky, sandy soil. How should I prepare the new spot to maximize the chances of its survival? Should I dig extra deep and dump potting soil in there? What's a good supplement for this kind of soil? Any other advice?

Answer 1

you need to add some top soil and some compst to the sand and mix together real good, wait until fall comes though. before you plant mix it up in a wheel barrel and make sure you put water in the hole before you put it in the ground and cover it with the rest of the soil that you mixed up.

Answer 2

A little potting soil would be good, But don't bury the tree to deep, this will kill it. Bury it about the same distance in the ground as you dug it up. Leave an indentation around the tree to help it get water to the roots. Water it well, but not to much. Wait until the first frost to move it unless you're in a frost free area. If the tree has trouble standing up then it should be tied with rope or string to 3 stakes.

Answer 3

J. maples do well in loose sandy soils. I wouldn't worry to much with additions. Just keep it watered to prevent the roots from ever drying out completely, do not fertilize till next summer, and try not to loose to much of the roots if your digging it up from another spot.

Answer 4

Fall or spring are both good times to plant your tree. If you plant in the fall do it before fall frosts. Very late planting can prevent a tree from getting established and can even kill it. Spring planting after the soil warms has the advantage of the spring rains to help the tree along. Spring planting in southern climates can be hard on a young tree because of the heat, but that shouldn't be a problem in Connecticut.