The art of hand digging trees and balling them in burlap really is an art. Some are good at it, others not so much. Me? I’d rate myself as an okay tree digger. At least with relatively small trees and shrubs. Recently I put up a post about Canadian Hemlocks trees and I have some extensive step by step tree digging photos and videos on this page; Growing, Propagating and Selling Canadian Hemlocks.
During the process of digging about 45 trees for My Plant Sale a couple of the tree balls fell apart on me. So this video shows you how to recover from such a mini tree digging disaster.
Question? Comments? Compliments on my awesome good looks? Joking.
Thank you so much for all the information. We are moving to a 160 acre farm in around 5 years, there are no trees, no any thing . We have gotten the road built, and the home site plotted, My question is can I start trees perhaps in balled burlap then buried or half trenched for so a few years where I live now [we are in the country so no regulations to worry about] I’m looking to minimize trauma to tree [ and work] during transplanting. But still having convenience of starting them where I live now.
You say in a video you can’t just go around snapping off branches, I ask permission but if I like can tree or a schrub thats what I do, not for resale but Because I would like to have in my yard. Someday that is.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks Again for the great informatitive Web site.
Lori,
Many trees like Dogwood, Redbud, even Japanese maples are started from seed. Then you can plant them in a bed, then transplant later when they are dormant. No need to ball and burlap to transplant. You can transplant them bare root when dormant, but the time from digging to re-planting needs to be immediate so the roots don’t dry out.
I have been given a Japanese maple. I have to dig it up and bring it home and transplant it in my yard. do I have to burlap it or can I tie the roots up in plastic and just plant it when I get it home? It is about a 5 mile trip
Barbara,
Trying to move a Japanese maple during the growing season will most likely kill the tree. Nurseries never dig during the growing season. Digging season starts around Thanksgiving and ends mid April. Having said that, once the tree is fully dormant, you can move it bare root as long as you plant it immediately.
As I have only a limited place in my garden may I grow plants on the terrace? what are the precaution I should take? Your garden tips are very useful.
That depends on what climate you are in. If in a cold climate plants on a terrace would be fine during the summer but not good for winter.
Dearest Mike
I am very new to the planting concept i can’t tell what plant is what and can hardly remember what many growing tools are called but regardless i would like to try growing small plants to sell. however I don’t know where to began and i don’t know what plants to start with. I live in IL, Rock Island but i have a hard time understanding what plants are appropriate to grow for my area and how to keep them alive as it is already september here. Do you know what Plants or seedlings I should start with?
Kitten,
I’ve taught this business to lots of folks like you. In the book that comes with my system I have a list of plants that would be perfect for your climate. You learn this business one plant, one technique at a time. You’ll be fine. It has a lot more to with action than it does knowledge or intelligence. More here http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2013/03/how-to-make-65%C2%A2-per-square-inch-in-your-backyard/