Transplanting Older Citrus Trees

Thea starts with ...
Hi
I have two citrus trees - one lemon and one Mandarin that my late father gave me. They have been in my garden for about 8 years and did not grow for most of those but over the last year they have shot up quite a lot. The Mandarin tree is about 10ft and the lemon tree about 6ft. My problem is that I need to move home quite quickly and would like to take them to my new home and I am not sure whether they would survive. How could I transplant them giving them the best chance of survival?

Thea says...
Many thanks for this info.
Cheers
Thea

michael says...
I've just moved a mandarin tree within my garden, i've dug approx 15cm around the trunk and re-planted it immediately in the same garden (essentially, it was planted in a bad spot, so I've moved it).
I'm from melbourne.
Since moving the tree the leaves are now pretty yellow, I think its not going to survive....what can I do to keep it alive.
Its approx 1 metre high, not sure on age (but estimate at least 8 years).
I didnt put water in the hole which i dug for the replant (approx 40cm deep, but did ensure soil was fairly moist).
I'm now watering it every day, but no idea what else I can do.
any help would be great.
Michael

Karina says...
Hi John, just wondering if I could bother you for those photocopies - I have a similar problem & can't find that book. Thanks

John Mc says...
Hey Peter,
I'm a fan of not pruning the branches back when moving large trees. I think the tree reasimilates the food and nutrients in the leaves untill the roots recover. It will drop a lot of leaves in the process but you will notice that the droppped leaves have had all the nutrients sucked out of them before falling.
I've successfully moved several large trees over the past year with 100% success rate.
The tree will have a better chance of survival if you can move it over the cooler months. You can do more for even better success, but,I'd have to write a small novel going through everything.
Here's a pic of a large mango tree I moved a month ago. As you can see it's picked up very well. One of the pic's shows how many leaves it lost while recovering.

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1	Picture: 2	Picture: 3

John Mc says...
Hey Lukea777,

I moved a large Custard apple (Atemoya)from Cooranbong about three weeks ago. There's also two large Persimmon trees I'm contemplating on removing from there as well. I took pics of the move and upped them onto this very site. Small world I guess.

amanda says...
Hey John Mc - u haven't moved citrus by any chance have u?

(Your thoughts about not pruning are really interesting and got me thinking about the loss of precious moisture thru the many pruning wounds also?)

My citrus are a bit big for the 35L tree bags i think - and the drive to future new location 7hrs... I am wondering if it's worth the hassle and if they would survive the trip.

James says...
Hi Tony

I now need to move three 8 foot citrus trees, I was wondering if you could possibly email me the pages of the book mentioned in this forum outlining the best practice.

Yvonne says...
Hi I have enclosed pictures of an orange and mandarin tree we would like to relocate to another position in our garden. We believe the trees are approx about 20yrs old and would be devastated to lose them as they produce beautiful fruit. We have a bob cat coming to help dig them out and wonder and pray we are doing the right thing to keep these trees alive. I would love a copy of those pages you have to transplant the trees if you could email me to them I would be very grateful.
Kindest regards Yvonne

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1	Picture: 2

John Mc says...
I moved this Meyer lemon about 6 weeks ago. Still looking good. Plenty of Seasol around the roots and over the leaves. I kept the leaves wet with seasol twice a day for a fortnight.

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1	Picture: 2

John Mc says...
Yes mate It looks deceiving, the trunk is clear. I've seen those mulch rings at Bunnens but at $8ea, I'll take my chances, good idea though. I threw the lawn clippings around it in a hurry the other day and haven't got around to spreading it around properly as yet. Is that a phytophthora resistant Hass, Brendan? Mine is performing well ahead of the other varieties.

John Mc says...
Yes, it dropped probably 1/4 of its leaves. I was a bit cheeky and left a lot of fruit on the tree untill recently. I thought I might have been stretching the limits there so I pulled them all (nearly) a couple of weeks ago. It's putting out heaps of flowers atm, I should pull all of them off to give the poor thing a chance to get settled. Otherwise, it's doing OK.

Somewhere here on the forum you will find a large custard apple tree I moved just before winter. It went into shock and dropped everything. I now see signs of revival after a long dormant winter.

John Mc says...
Hi Amanda,
The tree stands about 2.5m tall. I dug it out of a vege garden where an old guy threatened to cut it down while I was there doing a job for him. There was no deep tap root, only large shallow side roots. All this with only a plumbers shovel and crow bar. I wedged it onto a heavy tarp and skull dragged it to and up on the trailer.

BJ says...
I transplanted a 3m native frangipani on the weekend. I realised it would become too large for my yard and moved it to my father's acreage. I am not expecting the results to be as good as yours, John Mc, but its such a lovely tree that it would have pained me not to have at least tried... I have a small reason for optimism, as I moved a 1.8m flame tree to my mother's house recently, and it is going fantastically!

Wayne says...
I think so Yvonne, and follow John Mc's instructons about getting them started.

All the very best luck to you

Amanda5 says...
hello,
It is great to read in this forum about the success people are having moving their tress.
I am also planning to move an old lemon tree (approx 2 meters high, age unknown) to a more appropriate spot in the garden. I would love to read the relevant section in the Alan Gilbert book. Could someone kindly email me a copy. Thanks. Amanda

Sue says...
Hi I want to move Lemon/Lime tree approx 2 metres high not sure of the age at least 8years old. We are rebuilding and the tree will be in the way. We live in Torquay in Victoria. If anyone has a copy of the relevant section of the Alan Gilbert book re transplanting could you please please email me a copy.. I was hoping to move the tree this May Many thanks in anticipation

Greg says...
I would also like to have a look at the refrenced sections - we are going to have a go at moving a very old lemon tree and also an orange tree to make way for a retaining wall. The idea was to use a large excavator to first dig around the trees and then lift them into a new location. I as also thinking about giving the tree a decent prune with a chainsaw first to knock off old overgrown branches.

Any experiences out there with seriously big?

Cheers

till says...
Hi Tony
Can you email me a copy of the section on moving citrus trees also. (hill.tony@people.net.au)
Many thanks
Tony

KathyW says...
Citrus, by Allan Gilbert
ISBN: 9781864471038

Available on eBay (Australia). Might ship international, they don't say.

We dug up and moved three over 10 year old citrus - a tahitian lime, myer lemon and orange - 4 or so years ago. Moved in the middle of summer during a drought (very bad but no option). Two of them, the orange and lemon, survived. Still struggling but starting to fruit again. Staking till they re-establish is essential. Ours went into much better soil, with much better airflow circulation, but no protection from strong winds.

Now I want to move a Kafir lime and small lemon - but at least it's winter now :-)

Kyle W says...
Hi everyone
tomorrow I will be transplanting 6 mandarin trees from a commercial orchid to my flower orchid (something for the kids to nibble on). I was feeling rather confident but even more so now after reading everyones experiences and advice.
CHEEERS.
Fingers crosed.

Mike says...
And another thing,use steriprune on all the cuts on the day.

Flossy says...
All those ppl looking for that book - try you local public library! They will have that and many more. I am moving a small lemon tree about 2 meters in my garden. Want more room for the kids, previous owners had lots of fruit trees all over the place!

S.O.P says...
Long term transplants are usually better odds of survival. Long term as the length of the process, as opposed to dig and move on the same day. If this applies to citrus, I don't know.

First, cut lengths on the point of the compass (NESW) with a sharp shovel, using a saw on anything of size that gets mashed. Back fill these trenches with a sandy loam. I would do this on the drip line or thereabouts (or whatever is manageable for the transplant hole).

Wait a couple of months during the active growing season, then cut again on the opposite of the points, so they join up in a circle with your original cuts. 4 cuts = total 180 degrees on compass points. 8 = 360 degrees.

Theory is, your original cuts will be 'root-pruned' and start growing new feeders at the location of the cuts. Then when you transplant, those feeders will be ready to go when you cut the other older roots and transplant. Remember, most trees have 90% of their roots in the top 150mm of soil, if you snap a tap root or any deeper, just tidy up with a sharp saw.

Consider your climate when you start the process (rain, heat and transpiration levels). Again, citrus may be different, particularly in cold climates. That's how I would transplant a tree. Follow up care is Seaweed, applied to roots and leaves and keep moist, not wet.

Laisla says...
Hi Alex,

I am in a similar predicament with a Mandarin tree the previous owners left in my backyard. It has become shaded by overhanging canopy and doesn't fruit very well as a result. I've decided to give it to someone who can give it a better aspect. How is your one surviving the transplant?

Mani says...
I could not find the book(Alan Gilbert) on citrus trees in Bay Area California!!
Is it possible to bother you for scan and email of the portion for the old lemon tree transplant???
This is greatly appreciated.
manisigaroudi@comcast.net

leilton says...
Have a mandarin tree given as a gift believe now two years old,only a small one.
Had a builder on site, who, although told to be careful, tried his best to destroy it, so I dug as large a hole as I could, filled it with water, dug the tree out, covered in clothe and watered it. Next day planted replanted thee tree.
Nothing untoward, until today (two weeks later), noticed leaves dropping, have I done any damage?
Hate to think so as couple who gave it me are a lovely Spanish pair.
Any info or help appreciated

Millermob says...
Hi we have just transplanted a 3m lemon tree that was about to be bulldozed. We have given lots of seasol on the roots before covering, also some soil activator. Then seasol again once planted, I was wondering if someone could please email me the relevant info as well, or let me know what else we should be doing to keep it alive. It was transported from the city to Rockingham, so a good 50km or more, and it is summer. Email me @ sgk078@hotmail.com

Millermob says...
Hi Brendan, the soil activator we used is the Naked Farmer brand, this is what it says on the website


Rich Source of Organic Carbon


Naked Farmer Soil Activator for Organic Gardens is extremely rich in Organic Carbon, Humic Acid and Fulvic Acid. It is perfect for constructing great quality soils and will improve the condition of the existing soil by stimulating biological growth, optimising the chemical composition and improving the physical structure.


The Soil Activator key benefits to your garden are... 

Brings your Soil to Life: For the past 20 years, gardeners have been told that plants require chemical fertilisers for strong growth. Soils have left to deteriorate due to the lack of organic matter being returned to the soil & in some cases have become lifeless. Soil Activator for Organic Gardens is extremely rich in Organic Carbon. Organic Carbon is a nutrient source for microbes & bacteria in the soil. Microbes are responsible for breaking down nutrients & making them available to plants to absorb through the root systems.
 
Stronger Healthier Plants: Growing trials have shown that plants have bigger root balls, thicker leaves & stems. Stronger plants are naturally more disease & pest resistant.
 
Breaks Down Clay Soils: Soil Activator for Organic Gardens contains humic & fulvic acids which will breakdown the clay chemically while the concentrated organic matter will keep the clay particles separated.
 
Builds up Sandy Soils: Soil Activator for Organic Gardens is concentrated organic matter that will add structure to sandy soils & assist in holding water & fertilisers.
 
Stops Fertilisers Leaching through the Soil: Soil Activator for Organic Gardens is negatively charged & through the cat-ion process will attract fertilisers & nutrients that are not absorbed by the plants & store them until needed. It also helps lock-up unwanted chemicals in the soil.
 
No Smell or Animal Waste: Soil Activator for Organic Gardens is 100% naturally sourced product & does not contain any animal waste & is smell free. Soil Activator for Organic Gardens is 100% natural & is certified by NASAA for use in Organic Gardens.

pam says...
Hi, I have a mandarin tree that I would like to move, has been in the ground for approx 35 years produces lots of fruit but now it has to be moved to make way for a bbq area, please help me with any info you can on how to prevent loosing it, thank you.

Sharon Meredith says...
Hi

I also have fruit tree I would like to transplant, a small young mandarin and a lemon tree. I would really appreciate it if anyone could email me the parts of the book you spoke of in previous threads. Many Thanks.

Sue says...
Hi,

My name is Sue and greatly appreciate if I can have a copy of that page that tell u how to transplant a grown citrus tree to another location.

I have a citrus tree from my old house that I want to move to my new house.

My email is pentlandav@yahoo.com

Best Regards,
Sue

MaryT says...
I know if I'm a tree I would rather be in my new home than be put in a bag then transplanted again. I'm not a tree but my garden philosophy is do what you want to do when you want to do it; don't wait for the "best time".

MaryT says...
Putting it in a bag then in the ground later is transplanting twice; worse in my view. The question was to transplant it into a bag or to transplant it in the ground, in the heat of summer either way, GAW. At least that's how I understood the question. As to my gardening philosophy which I stole from a couple of famous gardeners, fortunately it has not caused too much failure and disappointment. Just lucky, I guess. In any case, I can't wait for autumn or spring; might be dead by then.

denise1 says...
The following is simple and how it was done ages ago.Cut a ring down a spade depth at least (can use a ditch spade) around the tree about 70 cms diameter (depending on variable factors). Any twig pruning should also be done at this time. A few weeks later it is ready to dig out and shift. At planting, water in fully with a rim around the puddle to help lots of water to soak in. Then dont water it for maybe a week. In friable/ loose soils you dont want to make the rootball too much wider as it could collapse and break some valuable roots. It should only be done in the planting seasons =autumn and spring.

rowan says...
Joe, lemons are easy to grow from cuttings but you cannot get a larger branch to grow like that. It might be better to buy a whole new tree.

Brain says...
If you have sentimental values attached to the lemon tree, then yes, try with the cutting, but do a few, as not all of them will be successful. If you really want lemon fruit production, then yes, get antother dwarf tree - that is ideally suitable to grow in a pot. Otherwise, you can try buying a Citrus Rootstock of some kind and try grafting the old lemon tree to it. In that way, you 'retain' your lemon tree. Mind you, this process can take a while, so better get started.

Slicko says...
Several years ago I successfully moved a 3m and a 2m Golden Penda by excavating around the tree one quarter at a time. I decided how big to make the root ball and on week one dug a narrow trench for one quarter of the circumference of the root ball around the outer edge of the root ball severing all roots. On week two I repeated the process for another quarter of the circumference. I repeated this for weeks three and four and on week four lifted the root ball and the tree out of the hole and moved it to its new position. The idea of doing it over four weeks is to give a severed roots time to grow new axillary roots within the root ball. The trees were well watered in and suffered no detriment.

If you're short on time you may be able to get away with doing it over three weeks.

Dave Roeser says...
Hi there all, and to you Tony, i also would love a copy of the book section, to help me remove two large citrus trees, and hope fully re-plant them. If someone could please pass it on for me that would be a great help,,,, david.roeser@live.com.au thank you all kindly.

Wendylee says...
Hi Sue22 I know its a long while ago but how did your transplant of lemon tree go in Torquay, we are in victoria and hoping to transplant a lemon/lime from half barrel into garden as i think it has outgrown pot! Its been a good fruiter but lemon graft is looking decidedly less greensand leafy in the last year or so.