For the first week, water daily to help the tree get over the initial shock of being transplanted. After that, water deeply once a week in warm weather, more frequently in hot, windy weather. Continue watering until the leaves drop in fall.
Be patient: If you treat your tree well, the tree should recover from shock and establish itself. It can take up to 3 years for a tree with transplant shock to fully recover.
Water is probably the most important element in caring for new trees and shrubs. Since a newly transplanted tree or shrub has not extended its roots into the existing soil, adequate moisture needs to reach the root ball. Soil type and the amount of rainfall govern the amount of watering necessary.
One of the main reasons trees struggle after being planted or transplanted is because they lose a massive amount of their root system during the process. Sometimes up to 95 percent! And to make it even tougher, the roots that are left are often incredibly dry, but you can help out with that.
Give tree roots at least one inch of water per week. Apply a two-to-four-inch deep layer of mulch from the base of the tree to the drip line. Keep mulch five inches away from the trunk. Don't over prune young trees, unless it's to remove dead or damaged branches.
Symptoms of Transplant Shock
Wilting, rolling or curling leaves are common when a tree is experiencing transplant shock. Dying leaves, even in the spring and summer, can sometimes be found on stressed trees after planting. Discoloration of needles in evergreens is a sign of stress.
We recommend soaking the root ball slowly with your garden hose, gradually moving the hose around the perimeter of the tree. In addition to soaking the root ball, water the area around the edge of the tree well to encourage outward root growth.
Bear in mind that it is possible to overwater new trees. This is problematic, as new trees need to establish a healthy root system. If the soil is too saturated it can become anaerobic, or lacking oxygen. Roots need oxygen in order to respirate, which is an important metabolic process.
Symptom. Leaf scorch is a common symptom of transplant shock. Leaf scorch first appears as a yellowing or bronzing of tissue between the veins or along the margins of leaves of deciduous plants (those that lose their leaves in winter). Later, the discolored tissue dries out and turns brown.
Water newly planted trees every day for 4 or 5 days and then gradually reduce the frequency of watering. When watering, slowly apply water to the root ball and the surrounding soil. A thorough watering every 7 to 14 days (when soil is dry) should be sufficient 4 to 5 weeks after planting.
Nitrogen, in particular, enhances the growth of lush foliage at the expense of root growth. That is why it is usually best to leave your tree without fertilization for the first one to two years after transplantation.
Care for Trees and Shrubs After Transplanting
To prevent root rot, keep the roots moist but not soggy. If there's no natural rainfall, plan on a deep watering every 12 to 14 days.
The general timeline is: Hair loss initiates around the 2nd-3rd week following the transplant surgery. Shedding reaches its max around the 6-week mark post-operation. Shock loss declines by months 2-3 and transitions into the renewed growth phase.
A dilute, high-phosphorous fertilizer is preferable at transplant. We recommend Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizer (2-4-1), which is approved for certified-organic farms, or SeaCom PGR Seaweed Concentrate (0-4-4).
After planting, a tree can communicate transplant shock in a number of ways including wilting or falling leaves, premature fall colour, dying branches and, in serious cases, death. Transplant shock can also make a newly planted tree more susceptible to pests and diseases.
If you are overwatering your trees, the leaves may be a bit gummy or wilted, though they will still be brown. This is a harder problem to solve, because these leaves may not fall off the tree. Unfortunately, many people try to fix this problem by doing the exact opposite.
We recommend letting most newly-transplanted houseplants – especially cacti and succulents – go a few days without additional water so their new roots can breathe and begin growing into their new space. For moisture-loving plants – like maidenhair fern, for instance – you'll need to water sooner.
This is known as transplant shock and happens because the plants' roots were likely damaged during the transportation process. Epsom salt can help plants overcome transplant shock.
Poorly drained sites and/or overwatering will also cause a decline in tree health. Roots need oxygen and water-logged soils displace oxygen. How often newly planted trees need to be watered depends on soil type and drainage. The soil should be saturated when watering but allowed to dry out between waterings.
Trees provided with regular irrigation through the first growing season after transplanting require approximately 3 months (hardiness zones 9-11), 6 months (hardiness zones 7-8), or one year or more (hardiness zones 2-6) per inch of trunk diameter to fully establish roots in the landscape soil.
Keep roots moist - Keep the soil well-watered, but make sure that the plant has good drainage and is not in standing water. Wait patiently - Sometimes a plant just needs a few days to recover from transplant shock. Give it some time and care for it as you normally would and it may come back on its own.
Once you have transplanted the new plant in your garden, you should focus on proper watering. Make sure not to add too much water as that can cause root rot and clog the space for oxygen, leading to a weak root system. It is best to provide deep watering occasionally to promote a strong and healthy root system.
Deep root watering slowly carries water into the ground instead of getting the surface wet, which helps improve tree growth rate. This will save you time and money, all while making your tree grow at an impressive rate.