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Transplanting a Chief Joseph Pine #608539

Asked December 15, 2019, 1:42 PM EST

I am moving and wanted to take my 4' tall Chief Joseph that has been in the ground about 5 years. I had a landscaper dig it but it did not hold into a root ball and all the roots were exposed. We immediately put it in a large black plastic pot and watered thoroughly. I've read different things about to use or not use a rooting hormone or solution to lessen the shock. Would like your advice and if there is anything I should do besides wait it out? Thanks,

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

A root ball that takes only the crown roots will have little chance of success, as there are very few feeder roots to re-establish the tree. Your tree appears to be very chlorotic. Is this the tree’s normal color? You do not say when you transplanted this tree. It should have been done during the dormant season. Make sure you have plenty of room in your pot for the tree roots as it waits for its new home. Rooting hormones will probably not be very useful at this time. Make sure you give your tree adequate water, but not too much. Here are a couple of publications on replanting your tree into a new spot:  

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/plant-conifer-trees-correctly

https://conifersociety.org/conifers/articles/conifer-transplant/

Hope this helps!

Chris Rusch Replied December 17, 2019, 1:35 AM EST

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