Wait a bit before attempting to transplant redbud tree

Q: I have what I believe to be a volunteer redbud tree in a spot that gets maybe an hour and a half of direct sun daily. I don’t want to leave it where it is, as it’s growing in what is not a good spot for a tree. Do you think it’s too early to move this guy? And anything special I need to do and think about when it is transplanted? — H.G., Albuquerque

A: First, I do think it’s just a tad early to be thinking about transplanting. I’d rather see you wait until the end of the month at the earliest, making sure to move it to its new home by mid-October.

I know that seems like a short amount of time, but you don’t want to move it if the daytime temps are going to stay truly warm, keeping the soil toasty. Granted, it’s starting to be nicely fresh in the mornings, but boy, it’s still warm.

Have you been out scouting the redbud’s new home site? I hope you can sort of mimic the same kind of environment. Early morning or late afternoon sun and for the rest of the day, dappled light.

Think of this tree as an understory tree. They will and do perform best with protection from midday sun. At our elevation and with the climate changing, planting a redbud in direct sunlight could be a death sentence.

If you are thinking of planting where this creature would receive an abundance of radiant heat or sunlight bouncing off a wall, well that’s not a good thing. So please, find a well-thought-out place where you want to move this young gift tree.

Meanwhile, if you’ve chosen the perfect spot to grow this guy, go ahead and dig the hole. Lay a tarp or plastic sheeting next to the spot and dig. Once you’ve gotten the hole pretty deep and fairly wide — I’m going to suggest at least 18-inches deep and 12-to-18-inches wide — mix some compost with the soil. You could cover the soil to keep it from catching any weed seed blowing by or allowing any gusty winds from scattering it. Place a bucket over the hole so it doesn’t present a falling hazard too.

Once the timing is better for the move, dig up the redbud. Moisten the soil in the area and be sure to dig wide enough so you’re not cutting into or injuring any of the young roots. Your aim is to get as much of the root and surrounding soil, so the roots aren’t troubled. No yanking the tree out of the ground. Keeping the roots balled by the existing soil is your goal.

Set the root ball in the receiving hole, making sure that the tree is kept at the same level it was before. Too deep? Then gently lift and move some of the amended soil into the hole until you’re at level. Not deep enough ? Then dig deeper. You get what I mean.

Any leftover soil can be made into a moat wall to surround the newly planted tree, and then water it in slowly. Once the area is well dampened, consider an application of root stimulator to help with transplant shock. Water the tree daily for seven to 10 days and then start to wean it back to water once a week.

Through the winter months, especially if we don’t have any precipitation, you’ll water at least twice a month. Never allow it to dry out. Remember, ice insulates, whereas dry frost kills.

Mother Nature willing and with continued dedication to this gift tree, it’ll pop out next spring and offer lots of color to your landscaping for seasons to come.

Happy Diggin’ In!

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