Homeowners often decide that digging dogwoods from the woods is an economical way to obtain new trees. Unfortunately, many of the dogwoods moved from the woods die. Plants grown in the woods are not as well equipped for surviving transplanting as nursery grown plants.

For success in transplanting native plants follow a few basis steps. Select small plants from the edge of the woods that have been exposed to more sun and wind. Tag the plant and root prune the first year; delay transplanting until the following year.

A tree growing in the woods often develops long roots (15 to 25 feet) rather than a compact root system in order to compete with the roots of existing trees. The area close to the tree may contains only a few small feeder roots which are essential in absorbing water. As a consequence, if the tree were to be dug and moved a major part of the necessary feeder roots would be cut off and the tree might die after transplanting.

To make it possible to safely dig small trees or shrubs from the woods, the plants should be root pruned the year before they are moved. In the spring, sever half the roots by forcing a sharp spade into the soil (8 to 10 inches deep) around the plant alternately leaving a shovel width of untouched soil between cuts. Do not dig a hole, simply push the shovel into the soil to cut the roots. The circle should be 5 inches in diameter for every inch of stem diameter. In the fall, sever the other half of the roots. New roots will grow at the ends of the cut roots. A root ball at least 4 to 6 inches larger than the root-pruned area must be dug to get the newly developed roots.

Trees in the woods develop under conditions where light is limited. The result is a plant that has thin bark and may not be uniformly branched. Since the plants are somewhat protected from wind movement by taller trees, the trunk tends to be smaller in diameter and less stable. Mark the north side of the tree; when transplanted the north side should be located so it is still facing north. The bark on the north side is thinner and more easily damaged by the intense sunlight that it will be exposed to in its new location. Unless the plant is relatively small it probably will need staking for at least one year.

Prepared by: Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist, NC State University

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