I need to move my nectarine tree now (September), what are the chances of it surviving and what tips can you give me to help it suceed in its new home?
Unfortunately, no. Has to do with property boundaries etc. It hasn't been doing very well either because it had gotten very bad peach leaf curl. There are only a handful of new leaves on the tree as it is. We have had to move it and have given it the best new home we can (big hole, lots of fresh compost, dirt, bone meal and special fertilizer for transplanting fruit trees). Can't think of anything else to do but pray that it will be ok. Just wondering if we should prune it back a bit? Any ideas?
It's almost always a good idea to prune back any transplant. The amount of branch pruning should correspond to the amount of damage to or loss of roots.
Try to wait a week or so. The long weekend is going to be very hot. If you can pick a couple of days when it is overcast and cooler, you will have a better survival rate. Personally, I wouldn't prune any-thing now. Let the tree use the energy stored in its branches to develop new roots. That's my opinion.
As mentioned, it's a tough time to move it, but circumstances being what they are, a few things will help. Have the new hole ready to go, have a tarp on hand, and a misting attachment on your hose. Water the tree prior to digging, and take as big a rootball as you can manage. Have the mist going, and aim it so that the exposed roots (as you move it to the tarp, and while in the tarp) are getting misted. You're trying to keep the roots (as many as you can), especially the fragile hair roots and tips, from drying out in the direct sun. Plant in the new hole, muck it in, top dress with compost to beyond the dripline, and mulch on top of that. That's about the best you can do, given the season. Barring the usual removal of dead or diseased wood, I wouldn't prune either, but many do as a matter of practice.
Thanks everyone. So far the tree has not shown any wilting or shock. It has even sprouted some new leaves since the move. I have only pruned back the broken branches. Because of the peach leaf curl, I am not sure which branches might not come back. I will leave it alone for a little while and see how it responds. Thanks again for all your help.
