Tree Planting and
Transplanting in Toronto

This is an important question to ask! The simple answer is that a tree should be planted where it will have adequate space to grow as well as sufficient water and nutrients. There are other factors to take into consideration as well. Do you want your tree to offer shade for afternoon gatherings in your back yard? Do you want to enhance privacy for your property? Do you have any underground or overhead utilities that could be affected by tree placement? Local Arborist will help answer all these questions (and more) to ensure successful tree planting and transplanting.

Ensuring that newly planted trees receive the proper amount of water is essential for healthy, steady growth. Newly planted trees should be watered about once per week, depending on the precipitation levels in your area. In general, the soil should be kept moist (but not soaking wet) for at least the first year of growth.

Native trees are more likely to thrive than exotic species, as they easily adapt with the local climate and have a natural resistance to a wide variety of native pests and pathogens. Native tree species also provide habitat to native animal species. Finding trees that naturally grow in Southern Ontario is as simple as a search engine inquiry. However, Local Arborist can recommend the perfect trees to add to your property based on your unique location and needs.

Large trees that require a tree spade to move can usually be successfully transplanted from spring all the way throughout summer, so long as care is taken to ensure the trees receive adequate watering. As with any tree care service, there are a variety of factors that should be considered when planning to transplant a tree – from soil conditions all the way to available space. Local Arborist has extensive experience providing successful tree transplanting services.

The best time for planting new trees depends on a variety of factors, including the type of tree, the soil type where the tree will be planted, as well as the general climate of the area. Generally, tree planting should be done in the early spring (April through June) or early fall (September through October). Local Arborist will work with you to choose appropriate trees for your property and plan for the best time to plant to guarantee success.

The first 5 to 10 years of a tree’s growth is essential to the establishment of a strong root system that will support the health of the tree over its entire lifespan. Pruning should only be done to branches that are showing signs of disease or damage to promote healthy, robust growth.

Unless you are transplanting a bare-root tree in a particularly windy region or on a significant slope, bracing and staking are generally not necessary. It is important for trees to develop a strong resiliency to the elements and bracing and staking can impede the process. If you do brace and stake, these supports should be moved after one year. When left too long, the tree can begin to grow into them and cause irreparable damage.

Transplanting is an intense process for a tree, and many trees go through what is called “transplant shock”. The best way to avoid overstressing is to transplant during dormant growth seasons, ensure you pick the appropriate location (soil type, drainage, spacing) and to maintain a regular watering schedule. Don’t panic – it can take over a year for a tree to fully adjust to its new location and recover from transplant shock.

It is important to ensure that a tree has sufficient water, especially during the first few formative years of growth. You should be watering around twice per week (unless there is sufficient precipitation in your region) to maintain slightly damp soil around the tree all the time. You will know if you are watering too much if water begins to pool around the tree.