Best time to collect besides early spring?

[yenling83]

when is the best time to collect besides early spring?
I have a chance to dig some semi dwarf apples from an orchard, but the owner wants them out pretty soon. Still waiting to find out when she wants them out by at the latest, but if I can wait a bit when might be the best chance of survival?

 

[PaulH]

You dont say where you live but here in Northern California If there are no other options I would go ahead and try collecting them, understanding that keeping them alive may be difficult.
Some things you can do to improve the odds:
1. defoliate to stop transpiration and give the roots time to heal.
2. Keep the collected trees under shade cloth and mist several times a day.
3. Pot them in a coarse, fast draining, non organic mix to promote roots
4. Seal all cuts.
5. Pray.

Paul

 

[yenling83]

I live near San Luis Obispo, CA. Thanks Would sooner be better than later? early summer better than late summer? summer better than winter to collect?

 

[apisto]

to add to the above answers

If you have to dig out at this time of year take as much of the root ball as is practicable. more rootball = less stress

make sure you keep them damp and covered with a dark cloth or plastic to stop the U/V light getting to the roots also dont let them dry out whilst transporting.

Cut back the top and seal well, if you have a small rootbal trying to support a large tree its gonna do this itself through die back, though the stress may kill it first best chop first before moving.

You may find it will take it 2 seasons to recover rather than recovering well the next year..

 

[bretts]

It is said that there is a dormant period mid summer for deciduous trees. I guess it is not as good a time as others to do major root work but could be a time to aim for. The other would be autumn as the tree is less reliant on the roots but still time for root regeneration before the tree goes to sleep for winter.

 

[PaulH]

I live near San Luis Obispo, CA. Thanks Would sooner be better than later? early summer better than late summer? summer better than winter to collect?

I'd probably do it now. I don't have much experience with apples but I have transplanted many other deciduous trees in June and July after completely defoliating them with excellent results.
You live in a beautiful area. My first two years of college were at Poly but I transfered to Davis because in SLO it was too easy for me to spend all my time at the beach instead of school. (HA)

Paul

 

[Bill S]

If you can wait for fall or best next spring wait, but sooner will be better than later if they want them out. As said get as much of the root system as feasible, plant in a large container and keep it out of the direct sun for several weeks, at least until you see new growth, then reintroduce to the sun.

 

[mapleman77]

I would consider transplanting now as well. I would try, however, to do it on an overcast day (if you get any over in CA). Trees will be under less stress that way....also water before you collect if you can. That'll make them easier to get out of the ground.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

For deciduous, we always used to transplant in the fall, once the trees had dropped their leaves but before hard freezes. Of course, this was when transplanting a tree from one field location to another field location. In the spring, the tree would push buds like nothing had happened to it.

 

[Asus101]

For deciduous, we always used to transplant in the fall, once the trees had dropped their leaves but before hard freezes. Of course, this was when transplanting a tree from one field location to another field location. In the spring, the tree would push buds like nothing had happened to it.

I collect in winter and have not lost anything until the hot summer has hit. But my winters are rather mild only really having cold nights.