Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Plant Species >> Trees

Transplanted Oak and Maple Survival Rates in North Carolina

Properly transplanted 2.5–3" caliper oaks and maples in western Wake County, NC, with first-year maintenance have high 5-year survival—comparable to any planting. Key: spring or fall planting, large root ball (9–12" wide, 6" deep per inch trunk), protect roots, hole twice ball size, mulch 3 inches. Follow correct method for best results.

Success Factors

Season: spring (pre-leaf) or fall (post-color).
Root ball size critical.
First-year watering essential.

Trees: Transplanting 15–20 Year Fruit Trees: Possible With Tree Spade; Emergency Transplant of Ash Tree in Phoenix: Summer Move Survival Guide; Transplanting Pecan Trees: Timing and Root Ball Specifications; Diagnosing Two Problem Trees: Borer and Canker; Transplanting Southern Live Oak in Late Winter; Transplanting Wild Crape Myrtles in Texas; Transplanting a Citrus Tree in Phoenix; Transplanting 5-Year-Old Cupressus in South Africa; Japanese Maple Transplant Shock in Wrong Season: Emergency Care; Transplanting Forest Trees to Open Yard

Garden Articles

Cottonwood Seedlings: Transplant Only If Seed-Grown, Not Root Suckers

Transplanting Royal Empress Trees: Timing and Technique for Success

Pine Planting Failure: Wire Basket Left On, Hole Too Small

Fig Tree Planting Guide for Alabama

Transplanting a Fast-Growing Paulownia Tree

When and How to Transplant a Large Evergreen

Best Indoor Trees for a Warm Greenhouse in New York

Plants

Transplant Shock in a Large Mayday Tree

Transplanting Established Maples: Minimizing Root Damage and Timing

Cherry Tree Growth Rate and Fast-Growing Alternatives

Transplanting a Lilac in Early Spring

Planting Balled-and-Burlapped Trees: Remove the Wire and Burlap!

Moving a 4-Year Chinese Pistache: Root Ball Specs and Aftercare

Seed-Grown Apple Tree: 10-Year Wait for Fruit