I end up doing a lot of transplanting of plants. Mostly due to poor planning in the first place, but that is another story. One move in particular stands out in my memory.
A few years ago I was forced to move a row of flowering crab apple trees I had planted about 8 years earlier. They were huge and, worst of all, the road project dictated that I move them in mid-July, which has to be the worst time of the year for disrupting a plant. ( I think early Spring before leaf-out is probably the very best time to do it.) My secret weapon was adding RESCUE REMEDY in a bucket of water to the tree immediately after transplanting it. I subsequently misted the trees with RR and water every day for the next few days. I also placed white sheets over the canopies to protect them from the blazing sun for several days. It is now years later and every tree is alive and loving it's new location. I have saved many traumatized plants with the RR. It works on the plant's nervous system in the same manner as it works on ours (see the movie: "The Secret Life of Plants" on this). This is perhaps the most important medication to keep in the barn, home, car or stable. It will save lives. The Farmer's Almanac gives exact times and dates for transplanting according to the moon cycles. The moon advice for pruning is equally useful. I found the information from Gil to be very insightful and helpful. I especially like the idea of tagging North on the trees to insure the proper orientation. I wish I had done that with all of my transplants in the past. Best wishes, Will Winter, Tree Hugger
