Grown for its usefulness as a shade tree and blazing leaves in the fall, the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum) serves functional and ornamental purposes in the landscape. Native to North America, these deciduous trees grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9a. Sassafras trees thrive in full to partial sunlight and fast-draining, fertile, acidic soils. Sassafras trees may need to be transplanted if they outgrow their current site or reside in unfavorable growing conditions. Sassafras trees do not transplant well, but with proper preparation and by moving the tree in the spring before new leaves appear, the chance of success increases.
Measure the width of the sassafras tree's trunk with a tape measure, 3 to 4 feet above ground level. Round the measurement to the nearest inch. Multiply the measurement by 12 inches to determine how far away from the trunk to prune the tree's roots. For example, a sassafras tree with a trunk width of 3 inches would require root pruning 36 inches away from its trunk.
Mark the perimeter of the root-pruning circle around the tree with chalk or spray paint. Push the blade of a shovel vertically into the ground at a point on the marked circle. Dig to a depth of 18 to 24 inches, pushing the shovel's blade through the tree's roots to sever them. Repeat this process around the entire perimeter of the circle. Cut large, stubborn roots with loppers. Leave the tree to sit until spring, allowing time for new feeder roots to develop.
Tie up the tree's bottom branches with a rope to prevent them from breaking or getting in the way during the transplanting process. Determine which side of the tree faces north and tie a cloth strip on a branch located on that side of the tree.
Dig in a circle around the tree, staying 2 to 3 inches outside of the root-pruning circle. Dig down to a depth of 24 inches. Push the shovel's blade horizontally underneath the root ball, cutting through any roots to separate the tree from the ground.
Lay a piece of burlap on the ground beside the tree. Spray the burlap with water from a garden hose until it is moist. Lift the tree from the ground, using the shovel's blade beneath the root ball as a lever. Place the tree on the center of the burlap.
Wrap the burlap up and around the root ball, tying its edges in place with string. Load the tree into a wheelbarrow or wagon and transport it to the new planting site. Place the tree in shade to reduce water evaporation and stress.
Dig a hole in the new planting site that is twice as wide and equal in depth to the tree's root ball using a shovel. Insert the shovel's blade repeatedly into the walls of the hole to loosen the dirt in order to encourage outward root growth.
Move the tree next to the hole. Untie the burlap and remove it from the root ball. Cut off any broken, dead or mushy roots with a pair of pruning shears or loppers.
Place the tree in the center of the hole. Turn the tree, if needed, to position the side containing the cloth strip to the north. Add or remove soil from bottom of the hole, if needed, to ensure that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground.
Fill the hole halfway with soil, tamping it down around the roots. Fill the hole with water. Wait for the water to drain down through the soil completely. Fill the remaining hole with soil. Tamp the soil down around the roots. Do not bury the root ball deeper than it was previously growing.
Build up a 4- to 5-inch-tall ring of soil around the perimeter of the planting hole. Fill the resulting reservoir with water. Wait for the water to drain down through the soil. Add soil to any depressions created by the draining water. Do not tamp the soil down while it is moist.
Untie the rope holding the branches up. Spread a 1-inch-deep layer of mulch over the planting site with a rake. Keep the soil 4 to 6 inches away from the tree's trunk to prevent the bark from staying to wet and developing rot.
Water the tree when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil becomes dry. Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Reduce watering once the tree begins to produce new growth, a sign of tree establishment and growing roots.
Things You Will Need
- Tape measure
- Chalk or spray paint
- Cloth strip
- Garden hose
- Wheelbarrow or wagon
- Root prune the tree in the autumn prior to spring transplanting. Time the pruning just after the leaves finish dropping from the tree's branches.
- United States Department of Agriculture: Sassafras
- University of Florida: Sassafras Albidum
- University of Minnesota Extension Service: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs -- Part I: Preparing for the Move
- University of Minnesota Extension Service: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs -- Part 2: Making the Move
- Purdue University Extension: Tree Installation -- Process and Practices
- Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images