Transplanting shock for large specimen trees (above 6" caliper) in Central Florida was minimized by using the "California" boxing system and foliar misting techniques. These techniques were successful with Pinus elliottii, Liquidambar styraciflua, Prosopis " Reese Hybrid", Cinnamomum camphora, Schinus spp., Hex vomitoria, and Ilex opaca 'East Palatka'.
Moving large trees with a ball of soil (B & B) minimizes transplanting shock and maintains a portion of the original root system (40% or less) intact and undisturbed in the soil. When the roots are pulled loose from the soil or the soil ball is disturbed, the fine root system is injured and will lose much of its ability to absorb water. Without at least part of the fine root system intact and undisturbed in soil, most large specimen evergreen trees will rapidly wilt and not survive transplanting, particularly if transplanted while in a flush of growth.
Large specimen trees (6" caliper and up) growing in sandy soil at WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort are dug with a ball of soil approximately nine inches in diameter for each inch of trunk caliper (diameter).
The ball diameter specifications from the 1990 American Standard for Nursery Stock for 6" or larger caliper trees is 10" of ball diameter per inch of caliper. We have reduced that ratio in our sandy soils to facilitate lifting the tree without breaking the ball of soil. Our primary goal is an undisturbed ball of soil and intact roots. A small undis turbed ball of soil and roots has been more effective in reducing transplanting shock than a large disturbed ball of soil and roots. In very sandy soil, a ratio larger than 1 to 9 will produce unstable soil balls that break when moved, particularly if the tree must be transported in a horizontal position. If we can move the tree upright on a low bed trailer the soil ball will, in most cases, remain intact and undisturbed, substantially reducing subsequent transplant ing shock.
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