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.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

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.

Agree. I wouldn't move them now. Unless you are VERY careful and get a huge root ball with each plant, moving trees with leaves on can be challenging. Not impossible. But risky.

Cut the root ball out now and keep it cut all summer. You will encourage root growth in that ball this summer. Then move this fall after dormancy. Though counter-intuitive, watering in the fall is also important as it will compact the dirt around the ball and remove root killing dead air spaces.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I've transplanted a number of oak seedlings over the years, but they were from nurseries, and were between 12" and 24" tall. They were all spring-planted - some had leaves opening up - others were still dormant. I THINK the nurseries pruned the tap roots on them, because I don't remember seeing long tap roots on those seedlings. But I made sure to dig extra-big holes to spread out the roots and give them a chance to establish in their permanent spots. I gave them lots of water, too, to push any air pockets out. I'd say my success rate has been about 60%. Cage them for sure!

Given the choice, I'd rather plant acorns where I wanted them to grow in their permanent locations. That might also require hardware cloth protection to keep squirrels away for the first year or 2.