Post-transplant growth of five deciduous ordic tree species as affected by transplanting date and root pruning

Abstract

Shoot growth and leaf surface area were recorded during three seasons subsequent to transplanting five deciduous street tree species in Norway: Acer platanoides L., Aesculus hippocastanum L., Prunus avium L., Sorbus aucuparia L. and Tilia x europaea L. ‘Pallida’. Trees were transplanted at four dates, early and late autumn (August 25 th and October 23 rd), and early and late spring (April 23 rd and May 5 th–19 th, depending on species), with two root ball diameters (3 and 5 times the stem circumference). Control trees were not transplanted. Shoot growth in all species, except S. aucuparia, was reduced by 38 to 86% of control trees and leaf surface area by 13 to 61% in the first season after transplanting. In A. platanoides and A. hippocastanum shoot growth was also reduced in the second season (71 and 81% respectively). All species except A. hippocastanum resumed pre-transplant growth in the third season. Early autumn transplanting was least favourable in all the species, resulting in delayed establishment as well as reduced shoot growth and leaf surface area. Early spring transplanting was found favorable for A. platanoides and P. avium, but unfavorable for S. aucuparia. The experiment confirmed that the larger root balls are preferred over smaller root balls.