I'm looking to plant a number of apple/plum trees (6 to 8 initially) but there is a chance the land I'm planning to use may be required for building in years to come. Is there a way I can plant them which would maximise their chances of being transplanted. Maybe lining a large hole with weedcontrol fabric or perforated pot to contain the roots. Not sure about root stocks yet but I'd prefer more small trees that crop earlier.
Thanks
Jeremy
Why not join the local council planning committee and reject the plans. ;D
Why not try and find a new plot now so that you don't have the hassle.
I don't know anything about moving established trees though, but I expect it's quite difficult to do,
imagine the size of the rootball. :o
It's a friends piece of land so would be a little unfair to reject any planning. I'll have general farming/lifting machines at my disposal.
thanks
jeremy
Root control bags that's what you need. They are not easy to get hold of, but I think ken Muir sells them.
You can get root control bags from Dobies (http://www.dobbies.co.uk/acatalog/Haxnicks_Large_Handy_Planter_Info.html), Garden Select (http://www.garden-select.co.uk/acatalog/Rootex.html) or Ken Muir (http://www.kenmuir.co.uk/details.php?productID=60251L). The larger 16"(40cm)-20"(50cm) ones are suitable for fruit trees on dwarf rootstocks.
One way of making them move more easily is to let them establish, then take a sharp spade and undercut them, i.e. cut down around the tree to sever the main large roots and encourage smaller fibrous roots to develop. There will be a good fibrous root system then when you come to move them. Best time to move them would be in winter, and hopefully you will have time to plan all this if its your friend's land. I've moved a few well established trees successfully, so it can be done if you prepare well. You may need to stake the undercut trees, I've never had to but it depends on how windy your site is.
Cutting the roots is interesting - I guess they would need more watering than usual but thats not a problem. How far from the trunk should I cut and is it just to a spades depth or do they go much deeper - when is the best time to cut the roots?
The roots bags are a good idea but a little expensive for more than a few trees (£12 each)
Thanks
Jeremy
You could look at buying dwarf varieties that can be grown in pots.
http://www.bakker.co.uk/index.aspx?Ntt=dwarf+fruit&Ntk=NL&Ntx=mode+matchallany&Nty=1&N=0&D=dwarf+fruit
Root control bags to me look like the better quality weed membrane...you could make yourself a root control bag just sew it together using a nylon thread e.g. fishing line
Quote from: jeremyf on June 05, 2009, 08:38:08
How far from the trunk should I cut and is it just to a spades depth or do they go much deeper - when is the best time to cut the roots?
The distance from the trunk - a circle approx 4 ft dia should be fine. You may have to cut down a little deeper than a spade's depth, and try to cut underneath too. Some draw a special cutting wire under the tree. The best time is probably about now, because the tree is active and will grow fibrous roots more quickly, but you
must irrigate well. You can also dig out a shallow trench whilst cutting and put rich but light soil into the trench, so the fibrous roots develop into this. Then, when you come to transplant or re-prune, you dig outside this circular trench. Another way some do it, is to completely dig up the tree in winter and prune the larger roots by hand, then replant the tree. This has the advantage in that you can see where the fibrous feeder roots exist and avoid cutting them.
This root pruning should only be carried out on young trees, mature ones can suffer badly, because there's a risk of cutting off all the fibrous growth at the end of the main roots, and a mature tree wouldnt be able to draw up ewnough water for its needs.