Transplanted English Boxwoods
We transplanted 18 very mature English boxwoods last fall. One turned brown & another turned half brown. The rest of them did fine. What caused it? Any suggestions on what to do when we replace them?
The most likely culprit is transplant shock. In the process of digging up a shrub or tree, the root system can be damaged. Most of the nutrient and water uptake occurs at the root tips which are most likely to be injured during planting. After planting, the shrub is still losing water through its leaves and is unable to take in enough water from the roots to replace it. The shrub will use up whatever nutrients and water it has stored in the roots and stems and then it will die.
Here are a few tips to reduce transplant shock
- Dig out as large a rootball around the shrub as possible to retain most of the root system.
- Apply Wilt-pruf or other anti-transpirant product to the leaves in order to reduce water loss.
- Water in a "plant starter" solution around the roots to aid in stimulating new root development to help replace the damaged roots. This may need to be applied again in 2 weeks.
- Water the shrubs deeply 2-3 times a week, allowing the soil to dry out a bit between watering. Too much water will cause the roots to rot and the shrub will die.