With their distinctive knobby knees and graceful, weeping boughs, bald cypress trees make a stunning addition to any landscape. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to transplant an established bald cypress to a new location on your property. Relocating these large trees takes knowledge, patience and care to ensure their survival. Follow this step-by-step guide for transplanting your bald cypress successfully.
Why Transplant an Established Bald Cypress?
There are several reasons you may need to move a mature bald cypress to a new spot
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Drainage or irrigation issues arose at its current site.
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It has outgrown its location, causing problems like excessive shading or raised sidewalks.
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You want to redesign your landscape and need to relocate trees.
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Disease or pests are affecting neighboring plants.
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Storm damage such as flooding undermined the root system.
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Construction projects like a new addition or pool require shifting the tree,
Whatever your reason, with proper technique you can transplant even large bald cypress trees with continued success.
Choosing the Best Time to Transplant
Cypress trees are best transplanted during dormancy in late fall to early spring when growth stops. Avoid transplanting during the active growing season of spring through summer. Key tips on timing:
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Fall: Transplant after leaves drop until ground freezes. Cooler weather reduces transplant shock.
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Winter: Only transplant on mild days above freezing when the ground is not frozen solid.
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Spring: Wait until after the last frost when soil has thawed but before new growth emerges.
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Summer: Avoid transplanting – hot, dry weather increases failure rates.
Pick a cool, overcast day without rain in the forecast for the move to minimize stress.
Preparing the New Planting Site
Before digging up the cypress, prepare the new planting site so the tree can be moved there directly:
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Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball but no deeper.
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Loosen and amend the soil with compost to improve drainage.
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Identify and eliminate perennial weeds which could impact the cypress.
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position the hole to match the tree’s previous sun exposure and shelter from wind.
Having an ideal new site ready will make replanting faster and easier on the tree.
Steps to Transplant the Bald Cypress
Follow these steps carefully to lift, move, and replant your bald cypress tree:
1. Prepare Tree and Root Ball
Cut away any small branches that could break during the move. Water the tree well 1-2 days before to make digging easier.
2. Dig Around Root Ball
Using a sharp spade, dig a wide trench around the tree’s drip line. Cut roots cleanly as you encounter them.
3. Undercut and Lift
Once the main root ball is exposed, slide a tarp or heavy canvas under it. Carefully undercut and sever taproot, then lift tree onto tarp.
4. Move the Tree
Drag or carry the root ball on the tarp to the new hole. Work slowly to avoid breaking the soil ball and exposed roots.
5. Settle Into Hole
Gently lower and position the bald cypress into the prepared hole at proper depth. Partially backfill with native soil.
6. Stabilize Tree
Fill the hole, tamping periodically to settle soil. Stake the trunk if needed to reinforce it while new roots establish.
7. Mulch and Water
Apply 2-4 inches of organic mulch over the root zone to retain moisture. Water thoroughly after transplanting.
With care, even large bald cypress trees can be transplanted successfully using this process.
Post-Transplant Care
Attentive aftercare reduces transplant stress and promotes establishment:
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Watering: Keep soil moist but not saturated for the first few months after transplanting.
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Fertilizer: Avoid fertilizing the first season to prevent root damage. Resume yearly applications thereafter.
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Pruning: Limit to removal of dead or broken branches. Avoid heavy pruning for at least a year after transplanting.
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Pest management: Watch for signs of disease or insects which can attack weakened trees. Treat promptly.
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Staking: Remove support stakes after 1-2 years once the cypress root system is reestablished.
With diligent care, your transplanted bald cypress will recover quickly.
Signs of Transplant Shock
Monitor your relocated bald cypress closely for signs of transplant shock like:
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Wilting, yellowing or browning leaves
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Leaf drop or reduced new growth
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Soft, limp shoots and branches
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Dieback of twigs and small branches
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Increased susceptibility to pests or pathogens
Take prompt corrective action if any of these arise to help the cypress recover.
When to Call a Tree Transplanting Professional
Consider hiring an experienced professional arborist for:
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Large bald cypress trees over 20 feet tall or with trunks wider than 12 inches
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Trees located where power lines, buildings or other obstacles make access difficult
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Transplanting multiple large cypress trees
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Moving specimen bald cypress of special value to your landscape
Their expertise improves survival rates for valuable or challenging transplants.
Transplant with Care for Future Enjoyment
With its graceful form and delicate, feathery leaves, a mature bald cypress is a treasure worth preserving through careful transplanting. By following proper techniques and providing attentive aftercare, your relocated bald cypress will thrive for many years, enhancing your landscape with its natural artistry.
Blog Network: Marthas Circle
Several big planting projects are now complete at my Bedford, New York farm.
Every year, I try to plant a good number of trees – some in the woodlands, and some in designated areas around my home. I have planted thousands of trees since I purchased my Bedford, New York property. They look so pretty planted in groves, in allees, and as privacy hedges. I feel very strongly about giving back to the earth – the more trees planted, the better. Last week, my outdoor grounds crew planted more than 200 bald cypress trees, Taxodium distichum, in an area of wetlands between the lower hayfield and my main greenhouse. Because bald cypress trees thrive in wet areas and can even tolerate occasional flooding, this was the perfect spot.
How to plant a tree (Bald Cypress)
FAQ
Can bald cypress trees be transplanted?
Do bald cypress trees have deep roots?
When can I move cypress trees?
When to repot bald cypress?
How do you plant a bald cypress tree?
Gently set the root ball in the hole and backfill with soil. Be sure to crumble up any large, sticky clods before packing them around the roots. Give your new tree a good, long drink, then spread a healthy layer of weed-suppressing mulch below the tree canopy. Bald cypress are generally low maintenance trees — especially once they are established.
How do you transplant a cypress tree?
Cypress trees are conifers, a type of evergreen, and may be transplanted at various stages in their growth. Turn 90 degrees to the circle, facing sideways to the tree. Dig a trench outside the circle, making small shovelfuls to avoid breaking up the root ball. Face the shovel sideways to the circle to reduce root injury. Deepen the trench.
Can cypress trees be transplanted?
Cypress trees are conifers, a type of evergreen, and may be transplanted at various stages in their growth. It’s easier to transplant a smaller cypress tree than it is a larger one, but either can be accomplished using the same method and proper attention. Take special care when transplanting cypresses to preserve their root ball.
How do you care for a bald cypress tree?
Give your new tree a good, long drink, then spread a healthy layer of weed-suppressing mulch below the tree canopy. Bald cypress are generally low maintenance trees — especially once they are established. This species prefers acidic soils and may struggle in alkaline conditions.