MN wild pine transplant

[Jhed]

I live in Central mn on shallow loamy-clay over sand. I have permission to digout out and transplant 2" diameter red pine. It is in a well drained plot, would guess sugar sand. I want to move this fall; last spring I think I may have done it too late and they all died. I'm not sure how long I should wait before attempting. I know that I need to get plenty of root, but if anyone has any other information to lend on wild transplanting, I would love to here it. Thank you

[Clark]

Not to completely burst your bubble but trying to grow red pine on anything finer textured than sand is asking for issues. If you can find gravel it will really take off. Loam or clay? It can grow from a seedling on those sites but it never grows like it should. You would be miles ahead finding white pine to transplant…or just plant.

I don’t think I can tell you much you don’t already know. Try watering them well before you dig them up and keep them watered after transplanted.

Clark

[barbender]

White pine would probably be better, but I've worked red pine sites in the area between Remer and Walker that stray a fair bit from the classic red pine sand/gravel preference. Really silty sand that stays wet. I'm no expert on transplanting, but it seems like when the larger trees are transplanted they experience so much shock that I wonder if a seedling wouldn't cat h up to them anyways? I transplanted a 6" white pine to my parents' yard 20 years ago, it is a beautiful, 35' at least tree now.

[WDH]

It is best to transplant trees in the late winter when the trees are totally dormant.

[GAB]

Growing up in NW VT I was told the best times to transplant trees was in April and September.
I have no personal experience to draw from.
I have been known to trim some slightly above ground level.
GAB

[Clark]

It is best to transplant trees in the late winter when the trees are totally dormant.

Too many grits this morning, WDH? I’m sure anyone in the glaciated north would be happy to lend you a shovel if you would show them how to do that in March!

Clark

[WDH]

Clark, I stand corrected.  I forgot about the frozen glaciated North where grits ain't groceries and folks don't sit on the porch drinking mint juleps and ponder all the things that they are fixing to do.  I realize now that if one followed my advice in such climes that they might actually become frozen sitting on that porch pondering the business of transplanting a tree and never get around to it . 

[barbender]

Often, with our snow cover on undisturbed ground the soil will remain unfrozen through the winter. But in late winter, the snow often melts down and compacts, and the frost will really go down in a cold snap. Bad tree planting conditions😊 I know when I'm explaining this kind of stuff to a southerner, it's akin to explaining color to a man born blind- but I keep trying😁

[PoginyHill]

I've transplanted hard maple and balsam fir during several times of the year. I've found the ticket to success is plenty of water for the first year or two until roots re-develop.