Question
Hello Jim, i have 6 large cottonwood trees in my backyard, which providing a lot
of shade, and we love that. There are also a bunch of  little cottonwood trees (
less than 1 foot tall), which i would like to plant in the frontyard. My question:
what time is the best to replant some of them. Location is south of Arizona.
Thank you.

Answer
The best time would be after the tree lose their leaves up until the leaves bud out in the spring. You will need to check and see if the seedlings are growing from their own root system or if they are growing from the parent trees roots. Hardwood trees will sprout from the roots of the parent tree and these sprout can not be transplanted since they do not have their own root system.

When you want to dig up a tree or shrub for transplanting, retain as much of the root system as possible

Trees can be successfully moved only if a ball of soil is left around the roots. The exposed roots should be protected with moist burlap or newspaper or with polyethylene sheeting. Every effort should be made to reduce root exposure to wind and sun, keeping the ball as moist as possible. It's best to prepare the hole before digging up the tree you wish to move.

Size of the root ball and size of the hole:

For deciduous trees and shrubs the soil ball should be:

Width = 9-12 in. in diameter/every 1 in. of tree diameter
Depth = 6 in./every 1 in. of tree diameter

For example: A tree trunk 2 inches wide would need a soil ball of 18-24 inches wide and 12 inches deep.


Dig the new hole twice the size of the rootball and as deep and fill with top soil and mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk.