How to Transplant a Dogwood Tree

Overview

Dogwood trees are a common landscape tree. They provide shade and beautiful flowers and foliage. When you transplant a dogwood tree, you must dig up all the roots, not just the top layer of roots. Dogwoods are known to have feeder roots above the growing roots.

Step 1

Prune your dogwood tree before transplanting. Pruning the branches encourages the energy in the tree to go to the roots instead of the new growth.

Step 2

Dig around the tree and locate the feeder roots. Once you find them, dig down and toward the tree, ensuring that you find the entire root ball.

Step 3

Remove the tree gently from the ground, and shake most of the dirt off the roots.

Step 4

Dig a hole two times the depth and width of the root ball. Fill the hole with water, thoroughly saturating the soil in the new hole.

Step 5

Place the dogwood in the new hole. Apply composting material around the base and add the soil to the hole. After packing down the soil and compost, water the tree again.