Lucky 13
Member
I have transplanted hundreds of cedars over about every season. At least a 95% success. I have purchased bare root cedars and had very poor results. Transplanting is the way to go IMO. I transplant when they are between 1-2' tall. They are a little stunted for the first year after transplant and then they start growing like crazy.
Can't speak to spruce.
Good Luck
Can't speak to spruce.
Good Luck
Snail3496
Well-Known Member
Anytime the ground isn't frozen now until green up. Little cedars you can pull like weeds and transplant incredibly easy. I have done several hundred each of the last 5 years and I can legitimately say with 95%+ success. Cedars are HARDY, spruce and pine are a lot more weak wristed.
Lucky, are you digging them up with a root ball or pulling them like a weed? I’ve heard both. What’s your favorite time of year?
Good data. Thank you!
Rootball. legit 95-99% survival rate.
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Snail3496
Well-Known Member
There are a couple weeks in late Feb/early March where the ground is perfect and you can pull them like a weed. I shake the dirt off, that way I can pack a bunch in a bucket to wherever I'm taking them. Typically fine for a day or two that way, otherwise run some water in the bucket, they'll be fine. Those little Cedars are MEAN.
Some get a big taproot when they get around 3.5/4ft and then you can spade them out quick with a shovel like Lucky13 above. Here are a few old pics I have. Wish I had more but you get the idea.
I go around and ask some horse farm/lot's of fenced places around me where little volunteer ones will start under the fences from the birds. Everyone I've asked is STOKED when you ask. Cleans up their fences and saves them long term work. You'll be amazed at all the accessible places there are unwanted cedars once you start looking for them!
Some get a big taproot when they get around 3.5/4ft and then you can spade them out quick with a shovel like Lucky13 above. Here are a few old pics I have. Wish I had more but you get the idea.
I go around and ask some horse farm/lot's of fenced places around me where little volunteer ones will start under the fences from the birds. Everyone I've asked is STOKED when you ask. Cleans up their fences and saves them long term work. You'll be amazed at all the accessible places there are unwanted cedars once you start looking for them!
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Really good stuff, Snail! Thank you!
Slick
Well-Known Member
I see you did that one video in 2016.......be nice to see those now 8 years later if you get a chance.
I dont own that farm anymore. I drive by there once and a while. It appears they are 10'+
I go three paces which is about 9'. No need to protect cedars of any size.
Nrharris
PMA Member
Last year I planted 500 cedar plugs end of March to beginning of April. I had something dig a bunch of them back up. Not sure if it was squirrels or coons. Didnt look like the did anything to them other than pull them out of the ground.
Skunks do that.
Bare root cedar plugs are quick and easy to plant with a Dibble bar, but like said, their survival rate isn't as high as digging up and transplanting with rootball. The ones that make it don't grow as quickly either, at least not in the first few seasons. They may do better if you mow or mulch around them, but i don't have time for that.
Snail3496
Well-Known Member
Thats the way to do it, exciting!!
Snail, I've never transplanted without root ball. Are the size you a pulling out and transplanting without root ball say knee height and smaller? I normally transplant waist height with small root ball but would like to try your method of pulling them out and transplanting.
What would you guess your success rate is on those?
Snail3496
Well-Known Member
When the ground is right I have pulled them all the way up to belly button high, but I'd say anything waist and lower shouldn't be a problem. All depends if the ground is soft enough or not. Now, through mid/end March (N IL) is typically prime time. No exaggeration when I say I've had nearly 95% success/survival rate.