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Transplanting Flowering Pear and Plum Trees in Spring

Timing: Move Now, Not Later

Three-year-old pear and plum trees blooming in southeastern Wisconsin should be transplanted immediately (while flowering) rather than waiting for fruit set. Dormant-season transplanting is ideal, but spring move during bloom is the next best option—fruit development adds stress.

Transplant Procedure

Root ball: Dig a ball at least 24–30 inches wide for 3-year trees. Preserve as many roots as possible.
New hole: Twice the width of the root ball, same depth. Backfill with native soil amended with 20% compost.
Watering: Daily for 2 weeks (1 inch per application), then every 2–3 days for a month. Mulch 3 inches deep.
Pruning: Remove ⅓ of canopy to balance root loss. Cut to outward-facing buds.

Expectations

Trees may drop fruit and show leaf scorch. Focus on survival; fruit production will resume next year if they establish.

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