Transplanting Oak Seedlings: Need Your Help

[Da U.P. 'eh]

Last fall I direct seeded some white oak seedlings in my raised bed garden just to see what success I might have. This spring I have about a dozen nice seedlings that I'd like to continue growing at my camp. I'm not sure though how I should proceed. They are currently about 8" tall, look healthy, and they seem to be growing rapidly. My initial thought is to continue letting them grow in the garden for the summer, then as they approach dormancy (or go dormant) this fall, dig them up and transplant them, and cage them, at camp.

Does this seem like a good plan, or should I do something drastically different?

Your advice is appreciated.

 

[b116757]

I would move them now oaks generally have a deep tap root and don’t transplant well it will be worst this fall because they will be bigger. You may loose all of these transplants when it’s all over either way. Next time direct seed them in their forever location.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Last fall I direct seeded some white oak seedlings in my raised bed garden just to see what success I might have. This spring I have about a dozen nice seedlings that I'd like to continue growing at my camp. I'm not sure though how I should proceed. They are currently about 8" tall, look healthy, and they seem to be growing rapidly. My initial thought is to continue letting them grow in the garden for the summer, then as they approach dormancy (or go dormant) this fall, dig them up and transplant them, and cage them, at camp.

Does this seem like a good plan, or should I do something drastically different?

Your advice is appreciated.

It is definitely easier to plant them where you want to permanently grow them. However, I have had decent luck undercutting the roots a couple of times during the growing season. Meaning just leave them in the ground, but severe the tap root. Then the tap root will branch and start to grow again. This helps give you some kind of transplanted root system other than just a chopped "carrot" when you dig them next Winter when they are dormant. They will likely not survive if you transplant them with leaves on them.