A tree is moving: step-by-step instructions from the expert

“The best time to transplant is spring or late autumn – then the tree can take root slowly and is not under so much stress,” explains master gardener Daniel Kotzian from Bruck/Leitha. “Much longer than four years However, the tree should not already have grown in so that it can survive the moving process well.”

Before the spade is used, the Krone cut back. The reason lies in the balance of the tree: if part of the roots are removed, the crown must also be reduced accordingly. “I usually take about a third of that water shoots out,” says the expert. An old gardening rule sums it up with a wink: “The crown must be cut out so far that a hat can be thrown through.”

The “ball” is crucial

Only then does the actual work in the ground begin. Around the Stamm The tree is carefully dug out – not just straight down, but from the outside in. “You form a ball around the root area. The goal is a compact ball that doesn’t fall apart when you move it,” says Kotzian. The fine ones are particularly important hair roots. They later provide the tree with water and nutrients. The stronger roots, in turn, give the tree support in the ground and ensure constant stability.

Depending on the size of the tree, it has The ball a diameter of 50 to 80 centimeters. It is carefully transported to the new location, inserted and the hole is filled with a mixture of old and fresh soil. Important detail: “The bale and the trunk are only brought up to just below the Finishing point filled up. This must remain above the soil layer, otherwise the entire fruit tree will collapse over time.”

Finally, the tree gets a support. A wooden stake stabilizes it until the roots have anchored themselves in the new location. A watering rim is formed around the trunk so that the water does not run away when watering. And the tree needs plenty of it now. “In the first year after moving, the tree doesn’t grow as much as the year before. It has to branch out well again in its new place,” explains Kotzian. patience It pays off – with a little care, the apple tree will soon bear fruit again. – Susanna Pikhart

Varieties & care for a lush harvest

Robust and scab-resistant varieties such as Topaz, Elstar, Gala or Boskop are suitable for home gardens. A suitable “pollinator” is also important: many apple varieties need a second variety nearby so that sufficient fruit is formed. The location should be sunny and airy because light is crucial for aroma and fruit quality. The soil can be loose and nutrient-rich, but apple trees do not tolerate waterlogging well. A regular one cut keeps the crown loose and allows light and air to get inside. In spring the apple tree is happy about something organic fertilizer or mature compost – strengthens growth, flowering, fruit setting. Thinning out small fruits in early summer improves the size and quality of the remaining apples. Additional watering helps in dry periods.