Thuja is an evergreen coniferous plant of the cypress family. It is often used for decorative purposes by gardeners because of its natural beauty and pleasant aroma. In order to grow and properly transplant a tree or shrub, it is necessary to take into account many factors, such as season, soil and age of thuja.

At what age can thuya be transplanted

This tree is quite hardy and can survive a transplant if done correctly. Most conifers, including thuja, are transplanted after growing from seeds in a pot.

Did you know? The tribes of the Indians used the leaves of this conifer as a remedy for headache. This is due to the fact that the juice of the plant in large volume contains vitamin C.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to change the location of an already mature tree. The only problem is that any movement of the plant entails damage to the root system and weakening of the entire coniferous tree.

At what age period can a tree be transplanted

The moment when the thuja can be successfully transplanted comes with the appearance of a stronger seedling. Even then, a small plant can take root in a new place if the gardener does everything right. It is not recommended to transplant only very old trees, which even seem outwardly stunted. In this case, they may simply not take root and die even faster.

Is it possible to transplant adult thuja

Adult trees also have a high chance of survival after proper transplantation and further care. The main condition for the gardener is to preserve the root system as best as possible. If this is not done, the absorption of nutrients by the plant from the soil will be disrupted, which can lead to death. With due care, this will not happen. Provided that you used to transplant other conifers, like pine or spruce, you will definitely succeed in transplanting and thuja successfully.

When is it better to transplant

Since the bush is cold-resistant and unpretentious, a wide range of temperatures and humidity is suitable for transplanting. However, do not forget that, like all plants, the thuja must receive nutrients in order to prepare for wintering. In this regard, it is impossible to change the place of its growth in winter or late autumn. Other seasons are available for selection by the gardener.

Video: how to transplant thuja at different times of the year

Fall

Thuja loves moisture and coolness, while not requiring a lot of sunlight. That is why autumn is in good agreement with the transplant process. The main thing is to fertilize the soil with special minerals and irrigate if there is little rain. If a young seedling has been transplanted, prepare it for frost, by insulating and covering it with a film. Adult samples need to be connected: this will help the plant not lose its original shape, and will not allow to break off thin branches under the weight of snow.

In the spring

Coolness and moisture are the hallmarks of this season. Therefore, spring is an ideal time for transplanting coniferous shrubs. This applies to seedlings, young trees and already mature plants. Considering bait and watering, the tree will take root well and will quickly get used to a new growth site.

Important! It is better to transplant thuja in early spring, when the snow has just melted. This will help the plant to survive stress more successfully and avoid many diseases due to the still not beginning start of vegetation after winter.

In summer

Transplanting thuja in the summer is not the best option, but it has the right to exist in relatively cold regions. Note that the plant does not like constant direct sunlight and in hot dry weather requires frequent watering. The best month of this season for the gardener is August, when autumn is close, but there is still time to prepare the garden for winter. Also, fast rains will help to saturate the soil with moisture, which will accelerate the growth of the tree.

How to transplant

The success of the plant transplantation process completely depends on the correctly carried out actions of the gardener. Given that this process is often forced, choose a good place. It is important that the thuja not only survive, but also be able to develop in the future. To do this, you need a light area that is not blown by drafts. Also prepare the soil in advance: 3-4 weeks before transplanting, dig a hole, 1 meter wide and depth.

Adult thuja

There is a difference between transplanting a young and adult plant.

Important! It is not recommended to add fertilizers during the first year - thuja can negatively perceive too much excess of nutrients.

A tree whose age exceeds 3-4 years is transplanted according to this algorithm:

1. Mix the soil from a dug hole with fertilizers: peat, ash and a growth stimulator.
2. Carefully remove the root system from the container and transfer to the selected location.
3. Fill the pit with soil so that the neck of the stem of the plant is not completely covered with earth and is at the level of the edge of the recess.
4. Tamp the soil around the trunk.
5. Carefully water and cover the soil with mulch.

Young

A plant with an age of up to 2 years is transplanted differently than an adult thuja.

The actions of the gardener should be as follows:

1. Choose not a rainy day. It is better to transplant in the evening.
2. Add superphosphate to the soil, but so that the mixture does not touch the roots.
3. At the bottom of the recess, erect a drain of broken brick with sand.
4. From the old place of growth of the tree, transfer it to the pit. If the plant is very young, it can be carried directly in the hands, but carefully. Otherwise, you need a car.
5. Without spreading the roots, lower them into the recess and carefully sprinkle with soil.
6. Tamp and moisten the soil.
7. If transplanting occurs in the fall, mulch the soil and warm the neck.
8. Water every 2-3 days for the first month of growth.

Post Planting Care

The first years of the plant cannot be cut. At this time, it is necessary to fertilize the thaw only with peat or fallen leaves of other trees. It is recommended 2 times a year in spring or summer to feed it with special mixtures for evergreen coniferous shrubs. The main rule is that you need to be well prepared for wintering. With a burlap, tie the crown, and continue to warm the young tree every winter for several years until the shrub grows.

Did you know? To create perfumes, they often use thuja as a source of the main aroma. For example, its smell was used in Hugo Boss colognes.

The genus thuja has in its composition many species that differ not only in their characteristics, but also in resistance to stress. Also pay attention to the type of tree: for example, Biota and Danica do not tolerate stress and require careful treatment when they are transplanted. However, during the transplant process, the plant will be injured in any case, but if done carefully, it will be able to recover and continue to grow.

So, transplanting thuja is quite simple, especially if there is experience in transplanting other conifers. The best times of the year to implement this process are spring and autumn due to weather conditions. It is worth saying that transferring thuja to a new place is only necessary in emergency cases, because for her it is very stressful. The root system of this conifer is sensitive and requires accuracy from the gardener.