Magnolia trees can be transplanted by one person as long as the tree is up to 7 feet tall. Employees of landscape companies must transplant larger trees with special equipment.
Tips on how to transplant magnolia trees
- Water the magnolia the day before transplanting.
- Dig up the magnolia at least 2 feet away from the trunk.
- Dig deep enough to save as many roots as possible.
- Move the magnolia to its new location quickly without letting the root ball dry out.
- Plant the magnolia in a hole twice as big as the roots.
- Do not deepen the trunk into the ground.
- Use a soil mix of native soil and organic matter for planting.
- Water the magnolia with at least 2 gallons of water after transplanting.
- Mulch the root zone with pine bark.
Read also: How to Maintain Magnolias On Your Own.
When to transplant?
The best time to transplant a magnolia is early spring. The best weather for transplanting is a cloudy and humid day. Also, morning or evening is better than mid-day.
Do not transplant magnolia if it has only been growing in its previous location for 1-2 years. Only a fully rooted magnolia can be transplanted from one place to another. Also, it should not be transplanted more than three times in its lifetime.
Avoid transplanting when the magnolia has already produced leaves, as this can lead to the loss of the tree. Also, do not transplant in the summer heat under any circumstances.
Fall is also not a good time to move the magnolia. The tree will not take root by winter and may be severely damaged or even die.
Before transplanting
Water the magnolia 1-2 days before transplanting. Use at least 2 gallons of water. As a result, the tree will accumulate enough water to move successfully, and the soil on the roots will hold up better.
Be sure to dig a hole in the new location before transplanting. You must move the magnolia to its new location as quickly as possible. If you delay, the root system can dry out, and the tree will die.
Also, mix the soil from the new planting hole with the same amount of good-quality compost. This is the soil mix you will use to plant the magnolia tree.
How to dig up and replant
Dig up the magnolia tree so as not to damage the roots. To do this, step at least 2 feet away from the trunk.
But it’s ideal if you dig at the distance of the drip line. That is, the distance that the magnolia branches extend.
Use a shovel with a long, sharp blade. Dig at least 2-3 feet deep. Start digging vertically downward, but at a depth of 2 feet, change the angle of the shovel to 45 degrees moving toward the center of the root system.
Gently pull out the root ball and place it on the burlap. Take care not to shake the soil off the roots. It is better if you get another person to help, as the roots can be pretty heavy.
Move the magnolia without delay to a new location. If the distance is long, use a wheelbarrow.
Place the magnolia in the new hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface of the garden. Then, fill all the space in the hole with the soil you prepared earlier and compact it a little with your foot. Water the magnolia with 2-3 gallons of water.
After transplanting
After transplanting, watch the soil moisture around the roots for two years. Water the magnolia with a few gallons when the soil dries out more than 1 to 2 inches.
Be sure to mulch the root zone to dry it out more slowly. Use pine bark or compost for this. The layer of mulch should be about 2-3 inches thick. Avoid volcano mulching, which means not burying the trunk in the mulch.
If the weather is sunny and hot after transplanting, shade the magnolia. Use a garden umbrella or shading net and a frame. The shade should remain for at least a few weeks.
Do not cut back the magnolia the first year after transplanting, as this will cause additional stress.
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