Should an Uprooted Tree Be Replanted or Removed?

Uprooted trees do not survive for long, especially in the summer heat. Regardless of why your tree has uprooted, it is important to make a decision, fast. Continue below to learn which considerations to think about when deciding between replanting or removing an uprooted tree, plus where to get affordable tree service near you.

Tree Removal Service Indianapolis IN 317-783-2518
Tree Removal Service Indianapolis IN 317-783-2518

Why Do Trees Come Out of the Ground?

There are many causes behind an uprooted tree, the most common being storms and similar types of inclement weather. However, other reasons why trees uproot from the ground include, but are not limited to, construction accidents, landscaping errors, flooding, drainage issues, soil disruption, soil instability, root damages, poor tree structure, gradation changes, and even wind-throw magnitude.

Will an Uprooted Tree Survive?

Whether an uprooted tree can survive a replant or not depends on several factors, mostly the size and condition of the tree, but also the underlying circumstances that caused the uprooting to begin with. Your best course of action would be to contact a local tree service company in Indianapolis to inspect your uprooted tree and analyze its potential for survival.

Smaller, younger trees have a higher chance of survival after an uprooting. Their root systems are fresh, and not as complex as that of a larger, more mature tree. Larger trees pose more challenges because of their size and the complexity of their root system. For this reason, they are hard to reestablish into the ground after they have been uprooted. In most cases, large trees do not survive transplanting.

Reintegrating a Small, Uprooted Tree

As soon as a small tree uproots from the ground, cover the exposed root ball with a tarp to lock in as much moisture as possible. To reintegrate the uprooted tree into the ground, you will need to dig a new hole directly under the root ball. Use the dirt from that hole to refill the hole the tree came out of originally.

Cut off any broken protruding roots, then gently lift the tree upright and position it inside the new hole you just dug. Pack the soil around the base of the tree, then give it ample water. Do not add fertilizer until you have seen new growth on the tree. You may also want to prune any broken tree branches, but this is not a recommended tree practice for summertime.

Transplant Shock

When a tree is removed from its initial growth spot and reburied in a new spot, a lot of things can go wrong. The altered soil composition, potentially delicate root system, moisture levels, light conditions, and many other factors can negatively affect this relocation process.  It can cause a tree to go into an adjustment state called transplant shock. When this occurs, the leaves of the tree change to a yellowish-brown color, curl up at the ends, wilt, and fall off. This type of tree decline is called leaf scorch, and it is caused from dehydration and nutrition deficiency, which stems from tree relocation.

Are you looking for professional advice or service for your uprooted or fallen tree? Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for tree removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana, and all surrounding locations. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Related Posts:

How Much Does it Cost to Remove a Tree That Fell Over?
Should I Remove a Leaning Tree?
Can I Replant a Fallen Tree?

Can I Replant a Fallen Tree?

Tree roots are more than meets the eye. You see, the root system of a tree expands broadly within the ground space below its mound. This is referred to as a trees “critical root zone”, and can span as wide as 10 feet or more around the circumference of the tree. However, regardless of how extensive they spread out, tree roots do not grow very deep into the ground, which means that trees are susceptible to being easily uprooted by severe storms and heavy winds.

When a tree is displaced from the ground, several, if not all roots, are broken in half, rendering them tremendously weak and damaged. Not only does this circumstance put the roots under serious stress, the crown and trunk are also affected. Furthermore, when exposed outside of the soil, they are all prone to serious damages that can ultimately kill the tree.

So what does this mean for you? Well, if you have a tree that has been uprooted from the ground, continue reading to learn if it can be saved or not, and if so, where to begin.

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518
Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518

Facts About Uprooted Trees

In many cases, an uprooted tree does not survive. This is because the root system is too damaged to fully recover. This is especially true for large or mature trees. But sometimes, a tree can be saved by replanting it, but only under certain circumstances. And even if the tree can be revived by putting it back into the ground, it could experience problems such as transplant shock. This is why post-replanting care is so vital for the survival of a tree that has been uprooted by inclement weather.

Large Tree Uprooting

Large trees are not common survivors of uprooting. Their root systems are extensive and mature, which provides the tree with water and nutrients. When massive severing occurs, they are not strong enough to supply the tree with adequate amounts of food and water, causing the tree to die. But also, replanting a large tree is not easy to do since their extensive root systems also anchor the tree down, providing stability. Once the roots are severed, this stability is difficult to recreate. It is also challenging to get a large tree to stand straight to begin with.

Small Tree Uprooting

Smaller trees have a higher chance at survival because their roots systems are not as extensive. A large portion of their root system stays intact after being uprooted, and the smaller size reduces the amount of exterior damage to the trunk and branches caused by the actual fall. When uprooted, they suffer the same amount of stress as large trees, but can then be replanted in most cases. It requires professional tree service to replant uprooted trees properly. This is because they have the tools, training, and knowledge to complete the job safely and in a convenient time frame.

How to Care for an Uprooted Tree

Once a tree has been replanted, the after-care portion is critical to its survival. This includes regular tree pruning, sufficient watering, and adding fertilizer after one year of new-growth. Trust your local tree care technician for professional tree service so that your replanted trees do not suffer from transplant shock or any other issues.

Licensed Tree Service Near You

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are highly trained and experienced tree care technicians that offer commercial and residential tree services at affordable prices. As professional tree specialists, we know precisely how to manage each and every tree service job requested of us. We only use quality equipment to carry out our tree care services and never neglect safety. And if you have a tree emergency after regular business hours, we offer two separate after-hours phone lines!

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518
Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

What You Need to Know About Uprooted Trees

Whether from soil instability, water logging, or heavy storms, trees have the capacity to uproot themselves from the ground. An uprooted tree is a tree that looks like it’s been plucked from the ground by a giant, and laid to rest next to the gaping hole it came from. Because uprooted trees appear to still have their roots intact, many property owners believe they can simply stick them back into the ground and go on with their lives.

Unfortunately, most uprooted trees do not survive. This is because the root system is too damaged to fully recover. This is especially true for large or mature trees. But sometimes, a tree can be saved by replanting it, but only under certain circumstances. And even if the tree can be revived by putting it back into the ground, it could experience problems such as transplant shock. This is why post-replanting care is so vital for the survival of a tree that has been uprooted by inclement weather.

Continue reading to learn more about large and small uprooted trees, including what you can do to care for an uprooted tree that has been replanted.

Indianapolis Tree Removal 317-783-2518
Indianapolis Tree Removal 317-783-2518

Large Uprooted Trees

Large trees are not common survivors of uprooting. Their root systems are extensive and mature, which provides the tree with water and nutrients. When massive severing occurs, they are not strong enough to supply the tree with adequate amounts of food and water, causing the tree to die. But also, replanting a large tree is not easy to do since their extensive root systems also anchor the tree down, providing stability. Once the roots are severed, this stability is difficult to recreate. It is also challenging to get a large tree to stand straight to begin with.

Small Uprooted Trees

Smaller trees have a higher chance at survival because their roots systems are not as extensive. A large portion of their root system stays intact after being uprooted, and the smaller size reduces the amount of exterior damage to the trunk and branches caused by the actual fall. When uprooted, they suffer the same amount of stress as large trees, but can then be replanted in most cases. It requires professional tree service to replant uprooted trees properly. This is because they have the tools, training, and knowledge to complete the job safely and in a convenient time frame.

Caring for Uprooted Trees

Once a tree has been replanted, the after-care portion is critical to its survival. This includes regular tree pruning, sufficient watering, and adding fertilizer after one year of new-growth. Trust your local tree care technician for professional tree service so that your replanted trees do not suffer from transplant shock or any other issues.

Indianapolis Tree Removal Services

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

Most often, an uprooted tree must be removed from a property. In this case, contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for professional Indianapolis tree removal and tree care. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope.