Is it better to just buy a tree or transplant one from from an adult tree?

Question

I live in Mississippi and it's prime time to plant. Has anyone ever transplanted trees from adult trees before? What is the growth time?

Answer 1

By adult trees do you mean trying to transplant an adult tree, or to move a smaller tree that has started on its own near an adult tree? Moving an adult tree is a major undertaking. It is done occasionally, but it's difficult and the chance of the tree not taking is very high.

If you're thinking of taking what is called a "volunteer", which is a seedling that sprouted on it's own, they usually transplant well. Make sure to dig up as much soil around as you can around the little tree. You'll want to keep its roots intact in the soil it's used to. This is called a "root ball". Set a cardboard box, newspaper, or some other material by the plant before digging it up. Use this to move it. Replant it at the level it was at, in other words don't bury the trunk deeper than it was. Water well and keep it watered. The one problem with using volunteers is that they don't always turn out like the parent plant. If it's an ornamental tree, the little volunteer might not look or act like the tree it's from.

If you want a certain type of tree and want to be sure of what you have, go buy a tree.

A smaller plant usually tolerates being moved better than a larger plant.

Answer 2

Are you talking about a runner that has sent up a shoot that is still attached to the original tree? If you are the best thing to do is take a sharp shovel and sever the connection without disturbing the new tree and let it get established on its own without help from the parent. Depending on the tree species this takes a varying amount of time but I would say six months is more than enough. I would not move it this spring. I would cut it free and replant it in the fall. You have a very much improved chance of success. Also use a Root Starter to help it get through the transplant root shock.

Answer 3

Every tree is different. Lemon trees produce lemons. Orange trees produce oranges. Apple trees produce.. you get what I'm saying. They all require different amounts of time to root, grow, produce something... As far as is it better to buy a tree or transplant one, it depends on what you want. Is it EASIER to buy one or transplant? Much easier to buy one. If you want an identical replica (clone) from a certain tree, transplant it. So is it better to just buy a tree or transplant one from an adult tree? Yes. No. Both.

Answer 4

Maybe I just am not doing it right, but I've never had any luck with anything from a tree except a weeping willow. We just buy them now.