Transplanting a tree across north-south hemispheres?
Asked by
Charles (
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January 10th, 2012
What would happen if you took a mature deciduous tree in mid September and transplanted it (perfectly, quickly, safely, no trauma) from the United States to a similiar latitutude and climate in the southern Hemisphere? At the time of the transplant, the tree would be transitioning from its summer green leafy season to its leaf shedding season but once it is transplanted it would be relocated to a place where other trees are in Spring and “waking up” to their leafy season. The transplanted tree would be six months out of phase. What would happen? Would it get back in phase? How? How long?
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7 Answers
I’d do it the opposite, as it is still dormant in late winter, move it to the late summer/early fall in the opposite hemisphere, where it will remain dormant for another six months.
If time and money are not a consideration, move it to the low latitudes part of the temperate zone for 6 weeks, then move it to the other hemisphere’s low latitude temperate zone for 6 weeks, then move it to its new home.
This is all a guess, I have no expertise in this area.
I was asking what the tree would do if it experienced the transition as described. I wasn’t looking to actually do this.
I think the tree might go dormant until it senses acceptable temperature, water levels and nutrients. It is likeliest to die from the shock. Trees in some sections of the U.S. are experiencing spring-like temperatures right now, when they would normally be experiencing freezing or below-freezing temperatures. These trees will show signs of this trauma when the persistent spring and summer temperatures occur; some may die.
We have had such mild winters in the past that not only did my trees start budding in the middle of winter, but my tulips and crocus started to sprout. I am no expert, but I don’t think the tree will mind.
Very young trees would handle the change well. Assuming that the trees are older full grown and were transplanted into very similar soils, climate zones, same latitude, same amounts of sun, same amounts of water then the trees would likely suffer severe shock. They could survive but would require around the clock expert care for many months after the switch.
I used to work at a tree transplanting site for the forestry department. And the work was only seasonal for transporting the seedlings the rest of the time was dedicated to the care of the various size seedlings.
I used to work at a tree transplanting site for the forestry department. And the work was only seasonal for transporting the seedlings the rest of the time was dedicated to the care of the various size seedlings.
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