Volunteer mulberry should be moved now

Q: I have found, what I believe to be, a fruiting mulberry growing very close to an established piñon tree growing in the yard. The piñon tree is a favorite roost for the birds I feed, so I’m thinking that the seed of the mulberry was carried by one of them and had good enough conditions to germinate and grow. It’s nearly three feet tall now and has dropped most of its leaves. I have a spot that I want to move it to and I am wondering if I should do the transplanting now, or wait until early spring? What would you advise? — H.M., Albuquerque

A: I’m torn but leaning to getting the transplanting done as soon as you can. My reason, the young mulberry could continue to grow a more encompassing root system throughout its dormancy and make any transplanting more difficult, for both the mulberry and the piñon. So, I’d go for it now.

First, I’ll suggest that you do the excavation of the mulberry very cautiously. Depending on how close it is to the piñon, you’ll want to dig carefully so you don’t cut or mar any of the piñon roots and are gentle with the mulberry’s roots. Use a hand trowel and be careful. I’ll even suggest that you water the area thoroughly too to make the excavation easier.

Consider laying a tarp or bath towel to collect the soil as you dig up the mulberry. All that soil should go back into the hole once the mulberry comes loose because it’s really the piñon’s. Please notice that I didn’t use the words tug or pull when uprooting the mulberry. Your aim is to dig up as much of its existing root with the least amount of distress.

Once you have determined how long the roots on the mulberry are, that’s how deep you’ll dig the hole where you are moving it to. Don’t skimp on the depth, either. Having to twirl or circle a root system usually grows an unhealthy tree. Certainly don’t plant it any deeper than it is now, just go as deep as needed. Think of the transplanting as you would if planting any new tree or shrub, except the mulberry is essentially going to be a bare root tree.

I doubt there will be much soil surrounding the roots. Amend that soil with garden soil, maybe a bit of peat moss, and a wee bit of sand, because remember the soil that was moved to get the mulberry dug up belongs to the piñon, so you’ll pour it back into that hole where the mulberry was, tamping it down and settling it with a slow drink. No stress for the piñon.

Once you have the mulberry transplanted, I will suggest that you create a moat wall encircling the mulberry to keep any offered water there, then offer a very slow, deep drink of water. Once watered in, offer a gallon application of root stimulator diluted to the manufacturer’s recipe. You might consider placing a large tomato cage frame over the youngster, wrapped with burlap and filling it with dry leaves or hay to offer a bit of extra protection through this winter, making sure to remove the cage by early March next year.

Mark a calendar so you’ll remember to water the mulberry, filling the moat, throughout winter too. Keeping the roots watered is a form of insulation needed by this youngster so it will settle in, grow a smidgen more root mass, and be ready to awaken next spring.

Truly, I think you should transplant the young mulberry now so its roots don’t get any more entangled with the piñon.

Q: Since I’m doing the yard cleanup for the upcoming green-cycle you reminded me about, I’ve been pruning my oleander bush and thought I’d bring in those clippings to decorate with for the holidays. Then I can green-cycle them next spring! — B.O., Albuquerque

A: Using clippings from your plant life is a time-honored way to decorate. I just need to caution you that oleander is an extremely poisonous plant. I’ve been taught that every part of oleander, from roots to stems, branches, leaves, flowers, and even the smoke from one if you burn it, is toxic.

I’d be hard-pressed to welcome oleander indoors to use as a decoration. Especially if you have young children or pets in the home.

No, I can’t in good conscience say that bringing oleander into the home to use as decoration is a good idea ever.

Please think twice and stay safe while you’re out there Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.