Remove A Weak Sapling And Transplant It To Another Part Of Your Yard

If you have a sapling in your yard that isn't growing well because of poor soil quality and a lack of sunlight, remove it from its location and plant it in a more favorable part of your yard. After doing so, the sapling will have a chance to thrive and grow into a tall, healthy tree.

Use The Following Items

• ​wheelbarrow
• garden shovel
• mulch
• water hose
• bungee cord
• fertilizer

Dig A New Hole For The Sapling

Locate an area in your yard that contains other plants and trees that are growing well. Choose a spot that receives plenty of sunlight and that is a couple feet away from other growth. This will ensure that the sapling will receive enough nutrients from the soil and will not be blocked from receiving sunlight. Do some research about they type of tree that you are transplanting. Learn how wide and deep the roots normally grow. This will give you an idea of how much room you will need. Dig a hole that is deep and wide enough to support the sapling's root system. 

Remove The Sapling From Its Current Location

Loosen the soil around the base of the sapling's trunk with a garden shovel. Once you begin digging the hole, start a couple feet away from the sapling so that you do not accidentally damage any parts of the root system. Place the soil in a pile so that you can easily fill in the hole when you are finished.

Test the sturdiness of the sapling by attempting to move the trunk. Once the trunk feels loose in the ground, pull it up firmly with both hands. Lay the sapling in a wheelbarrow so that you can easily transport it to the new location. Fill in the hole with the soil.

Place The Sapling In The New Hole

Insert the sapling's root system into the new hole. Hold the trunk with one hand while filling the hole with soil. Once the trunk feels pretty stable, secure it by tying rope around the middle and anchoring it to a permanent fixture in your yard. An object like a fence will work well. Leave the rope around the tree until the roots take hold. This may take a couple weeks. Add fertilizer to the base of the sapling. Read the back of the package to determine how much is needed. It depends upon the type of tree that you own. If you have any questions about the needs of your particular tree, or feel that you need help during any part of the process, contact an arborist with a company like Pete & Ron's Tree Service.

Water the sapling and apply a thin, even layer of mulch around the base. The mulch will help the soil retain moisture. It will also prevent weeds from growing around the sapling. Care for the sapling by continuing to water it several times a week. Continued care and plenty of sunlight will help the sapling grow into a beautiful, healthy tree.

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