Transplanted citrus

10 years ago

Hi. I've just pulled out an older orange tree around 10-15 year old 12 feet or so tall. I was able o get it out with minimal damage to the larger roots but smaller stringy like roots weren't that well preserved.
I cut off many branches and had to transport with a tarp over the root mass watered down and in the bed of a pickup traveling 30 miles or so to the destination.
The ground was prepared and the tree popped into place

Some areas of the bark were damaged by the pulling out with a tow strap.

The tree is getting a mister hose on it after having a night of watering.

Is there anything beneficial that could be done to protect the limbs from being exposed to the sun other than perhaps a paint (after cleaning the areas)

Any experienced ideas appreciated.

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Comments (5)

hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
10 years ago
Um, most likely this tree will not survive. Those "smaller stringy like roots" are your tree's feeder roots. The deeper roots serve to anchor the tree. A tree of that age and size rarely does well with a transplant. And, if the bark is damaged badly enough, and if the damage is through the cambium and extends around the circumference of the tree, you may have well girdled the tree, which will cut off all nutrient flow to the upper part of the tree, essentially strangling your tree. Painting exposed branches and the trunk with flat latex house paint cut in 1/2 with water will help to prevent sunburn, but you have much larger issues to deal with, such as transplant shock. Water your tree well, and pray. A lot.

Patty S.
pgde
10 years ago
Following up what Patty said about root systems, here is a sketch copied from the following publication at the link below. I recommend downloading this for your reference. Although it is from Australia, it is a good read (IMO).

Hope this helps and Good Luck!

P.

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Citrus Successfully
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new-member
Original Author
10 years ago
Well thank you for the input. I opted to put aloe Vera on the wounds in thick amounts, covered it with a tarp and attached a mister hose under the tarp. Will keep applying aloe and watering and a layer of horse poo as well. I have a grapefruit tree that was severely eaten away at - one main trunk had the circumference of its bark eaten away...and smeared a llama manure tea on the branches and trunk and a year later the tree is protected and actually has new growth above that damaged area.
Thanks again for the input and will report on new growth when it shows.
centexgardengirl
10 years ago
New-member, I had a similar experience with a tree trunk that had been stripped down to the cambium by deer rubbing the velvet off their antlers. Go to Howard Garrett s website and look up tree trunk goop. We applied this and wrapped the tree with cloth and watered well lots of tlc and the tree survived. But the growth was affected... the tree did such survive tho. Good luck! Karen
bamboo_rabbit
10 years ago
I transplanted 6 citrus trees that were 4-5 years old including a Meyer lemon that John said was surely doomed. It survived as did 5 of the 6 others. But there is a big difference between 5 year old and 15 year old trees. It is possible though so good luck and lots of water.