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transplanting Acacia dealbata.
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Posted by ronaldo60 Ireland (My Page) on Tue, Feb 19, 08 at 8:17
| Hello All,
about 10 years ago i planted this acacia tree in an area that has just a few inches of top soil and under that a useless dead sand, what was i thinking off. Now it has started rocking and even tore one good sized root out of the ground during heavy winds. This is despite multiple attempts at staking securing etc. Its about 20' high and the trunk is about 16" around at ground level.
I am considering digging it up with a mini digger / back hoe and planting in an area with good soil and more shelter.
So my question: Can acacia handle transplanting in this rough fashion
Any comments or suggestions very welcome
Thanks,
Ronaldo, |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: transplanting Acacia dealbata.
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Ronaldo,
I don't hold much hope for your success in re-planting your Acacia dealbata.
Most Australian native plants are extremely difficult to re-plant once they have grown any size.
You can certainly try but don't be too disappointed if it kicks up its heels.
I think I would buy another small acacia and plant that instead. Australian natives don't seem to appreciate being staked either. Put a few good sized stones around the base, this will keep the plant firmly in the ground without the need for staking.
My advice also is to purchase small plants(tube stock) and not advanced specimens as the smaller plant will grow quicker and stronger and you will get a much better result in your garden. |
RE: transplanting Acacia dealbata.
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| Hi Ronaldo, Acacia dealbata is naturally sucseptible to uprooting in high winds, so I imagine that even if you did manage to successfully transplant the tree you'd have the same problem again some time in the future. The idea of kbranksome i.e. placing big rocks or boulders at the base of the tree, is a good one. Acacia dealbata is a tough species, so the soil quality you've detailed won't be a problem for the tree. It is possible to transplant this species, however it is not an easy task and should not be undertaken by the layman if he wants a successful transplant. Contact your local tree professional to do the job (it's a lot more involved than you might think). Good luck with it all. Jim |
RE: transplanting Acacia dealbata.
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Acacia dealbata is one of those short-lived Australian natives that gives the others a bad name. Its natural lifespan is rarely longer than twenty years, and it rarely looks much good after fifteen. Given that your plant has been doing it tough in an unfamiliar climate, it's probably so close to the end of it's natural period of beauty, that it would be a frustrating waste of work to transplant it.
These trees grow so fast that planting a new one would really be the best way to go.
Typically, when it comes to Australian wattles, the more showy they are, the shorter the lifespan, and I can assure you that within a human lifespan you can get pretty sick of cutting out and disposing of old wattles, especially if you grow big ones. With maturity and a grumbling husband (planting is my job, removals are his), we eventually learn to restrict ourselves to the smaller species, for the undeniable joy that comes with the glory of wattle-blossoms in late winter.
Trish |
RE: transplanting Acacia dealbata.
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| Thank you all for the quick feedback. You just saved me a weekend of work and 200 euros, so it is appreciated. Now have to find another excuse to rent the digger!! Spring is in the air in ireland and a mans mind starts to focus on the one thing all men fantasize about, heavy machinery and reasons to rent it. Thanks again, Ronaldo, |
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