Sassafras tree transplant

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IrisMarch Stamford, CT(Zone 6b) Jun 13, 2011

I like these trees and many are growing on my property. I would like to transplant a few to another area. I tried digging up some small ones, but they have an odd root system and did not survive. What is the secret to transplanting them when they are small?

Thank you.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Jun 14, 2011

The number one thing to remember is that sassafras trees develop a long taproot and if broken when digging the tree probably won't survive. Go for the smallest seedlings as they are usually the easiest to dig up and have the smallest root system. The key is to dig deeper rather than wide. Here is a bit more info for you. Good luck to you.



http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/kytreewebsite/commonnamefiles/text/sassafrasinfo.htm

edited to remove faulty link

This message was edited Jun 28, 2011 9:22 AM

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Jun 27, 2011

Another key thing to realize about Sassafras albidum: it is a suckering/colonizing plant.

The "odd root system" mentioned may be that the little plant that was attempted to be transplanted was nothing more than a root suckering stem, and would not be attached to anything other than a main root of the parent tree. These suckering stems are likely to fail when one tries to dig and replant them.

A better approach: dig some roots from this parent plant (approximately pencil size in diameter) and pot them up.

When they sprout, grow them out for a season and then plant them in the fall.

Thanks, moon, for the University of Kentucky link. Good information there. The ehow link is unfortunately full of bad advice. I'd banish that one from the annals of useful knowledge...

Post #8658987
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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Jun 28, 2011

Hi Viburnum Valley. Will do. I too thought the Univ of Kentucky link was good....Ehow is often hit and miss on stuff...which further proves you can only believe about half of what you read on the net.

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