We have at least seven dogwood trees that have sprouted up in natural areas in our front yard. I would like to move them to a shaded natural area in our backyard. 1) Is that wise at this time of the year? 2) Will they grow in shaded areas? 3) My grandfather used to plant them facing a certain way. Anyone (Kent) know of something like this? 4) How far should they be planted from other trees? Some dogwoods are around five feet tall while others are maybe a foot. Thanks so much for any and all input. Would like to do this as soon as possible because they seem to be growing and I don't want them getting too tall for us to move. Seems they are coming up around our front yard trees. Sherry
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070130111809AAtihdr That's what I found when I googled it. Apparently a lot of people say that you shouldn't move them because they are more likely to die. Anyways. I just put in Transplanting Dogwood into google and that was one of the many websites I came up with.
Isn't it crazy that one person on one computer can come up with a bunch of different hits and another person on a different computer can come up with nothing? Also depends on the wording you use. Hopefully that site will help you and if not use the same wording I did and maybe you'll come up with the same hits I did. Most of them seemed to suggest not to transplant Dogwood Trees. (which is what my husband said ... when I asked he said "You don't or they die."
Dogwoods are so difficult to transplant because they have shallow widespread root systems. If you are careful enough not to disturb the entire system when you dig it out, you still have to plant it in such a way that it won't go into shock. They are also very picky about their sun exposure. If they grew in an area with one type of light, they will only grow in the same type of exposure once transferred. It's such a risky business, I would definitely avoid it. Why don't you try starting some from seed?
Always been told to transplant trees the week after Thanksgiving if you want them to live. May just be a Johnston County myth, but what I've always heard growing up here in Johnston County.
Makes sense, the weather for transplanting is much better at that time. You can transplant almost anything if you get enough of the roots and keep them from drying out until it gets established in its new location. That said, dogwoods of any size are among the more difficult plants to transplant. The very small ones might do well if you wait until cooler weather and water them frequently throughout the first year, even in winter unless the weather stays below freezing for an extended time. Dogwoods do well in the shade. They grow naturally as an understory tree.
Thank you and thanks to KDs. I think after reading everything that we will go with folk lore and wait until after Thanksgiving so we make sure they live. Some are small while others are as tall as me so I want to make sure they don't get too big. I remember my grandfather always placed each one facing a certain way and now I understand that from the previous Post. Thanks to all. Whew...all we have to do is spray weeds and transplant monkey grass today. Anyone needing monkey grass please let me know...we have lots. Thanks to all, Sherry
I hope you got your weeds sprayed before the sprinkles. I was out there doing it hoping and hoping and hoping the rain would hold off. It did sprinkle on me so I sure do hope I didn't waste my time and $, not to mention the nasty catch in my neck. Do transplant any trees in the fall, and do plant your dogwoods in the shade! Like KDs said, they'll do great as understory trees. I didn't know that about the root system of dogwoods. Good to know!
Sherry, I've done a lot of gardening in my time, but never transplanted a Dogwood. We had tons of them naturally in our yard. Been out of town for a few days and took some time off of the computer.
My problem is that these dogwood trees are growing next to large trees. Most of the dogwoods coming up are in or around the same area and I'm either going to have to transplant them or kill them. I don't want to kill them! With what everyone said earlier I have decided to transplant this fall. We did other yard work today and that left me time for a nap...yeah baby. Thanks...I always value your gardening skills. Sherry
the smaller the tree, the better your chances. you'd be surprised at the root systems of just a 5 or 6 foot tree
Thank you. Do you suggest we go ahead and move the smaller ones so that the root systems don't get larger? Sherry
no, i'd say stick with the timetable others have given, but start with the smaller ones when the time comes. jmho....
Be careful with this one... naturally sprouted dogwoods have roots that are less dense and more likely to die due to stress from re-planting. It is best to prune the roots with a shovel about 6 inches from the base, then wait a few months (6 mo to a year) before digging it up. This will help produce smaller roots closer to the trunk and better your odds of survival. Make sure you re-plant when the tree is dormant. Hope this helps
