Many of you have noticed that my “To & From” entries have become few and far between. When I first started penning those missives, the farm was a weekend project. Though I would think about the farm constantly, the 2 hour train trip to and from provided the void of distraction necessary to plan and to contemplate all of the new experiences and challenges that come with buying a new house, starting a new farm, and launching a new business.
But in April of this year, those train trips came to an abrupt halt when I moved up to the farm and became a full time inhabitant of Sharon Springs, NY. The chores multiplied exponentially. Spring and Summer being the busy season on the farm, I was suddenly glad that Twitter permitted only 120 characters. 120 characters a day was about all I had the energy to muster (and sometimes not even that)
But the long to-do lists that so consumed those long summer days were more than just excuses for my lack of reflection. I was putting down roots.
Oddly, it took the act of pulling up roots to make me realize this.
Years ago some trees on the Beekman property had been planted too close together. Unable to sacrifice a decade of growth, I decided we would try to transplant them to another area of the farm.
It’s amazing how congruent the tips for transplanting a tree are to putting down roots of any sort.
1. Contemplate
Before you decide to move a tree, make sure its new location will be a supportive one, with the right lighting and soil and every thing that it needs to flourish.
It took us nearly five years of looking at abandoned farms and vacant lots before we stumbled upon the Beekman. The decision to sign onto a huge mortgage was not made overnight.
2. Take Time
There is always a best time to make a move. For a tree, early fall or in the very early spring is optimal. The tree is not in a growing phase. We waited until an unusually heavy day of rain which loosened the soil around the roots and enabled us to lift the tree out of the ground with the entire root ball intact.
If you are currently in a growth phase where you are, you have to question your reasons for moving.
3. Tie Up Loose Ends
Before you start to transplant a tree, cut off up to 1/3 the linear growth of the tree. This helps ensure the root system will be able to support the growth left on top.
Sometimes one of the most productive parts of moving is finally being able to unload excess baggage and leave it all behind.
4. Dig In
Take your freshly sharpened spade and dig around the tree in a circle to define the root ball. Trees with trunks 1-1/4” in diameter should have an 18” wide root ball; those with a 1” diameter trunk should have a 12” wide root ball. A close approximation of the size of the root ball is the width of the tree’s canopy.
The resulting trench should be as deep as the root ball is wide. If you also dig a slight ramp on one side of your trench, you’ll be able to slide the tree out easier.
For the tree’s new home dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 18-24” wider.
Before moving, it’s wise to spend a little time preparing for the place you are going to settle. It may not be hospitable at first, but that’s nothing a little sweat equity can’t change.
5. Home Sweet Home
Fill the new hole half full with soil, then water the tree well. Now fill it the rest of the way with soil, water again, and mulch well.
Now firmly rooted in our new surroundings, we are all ready to spring forward. We look forward to having you grow with us.
26 Comments
Thank you for the great advice and insight. This entry hit home on so many levels.
Thanks, Kenn
Keep it in mind. One day you may be convinced to move to Sharon Springs, too!
Welcome to the neighborhood!
Just beautiful. Perfect advice whether one is contemplating a change or changes to a career, a relationship, a home or an entire life. Thank you! JEM
Thanks, Bessie
Hope we will see you in these parts over the holidays
Thanks, John
It really is amazing how simple things in nature have so many lessons to impart
When I was a tot, my grandmother always told me “Bloom where you are planted”.
Why didn’t my parents plant me on a private beach in Malibu Colony, dang it?!
I suppose there is always time to replant – as you have proven with such success! You and Josh have a fantastic holiday season.
Hi, Will
I think every grandmother is proof that wisdom comes with age…
Hi brent
thanks so much for this.
really well thought out.. boy where were you before i bought my 300 yrs old wreck of a house and started milk & honey?
thanks for taking the leap !!!
kelly
thank you for this!
Hi, Kelly
Consider us kindred spirits
Hi, Nadia
You are very welcome
I have really missed your to&from postings. I am happy that you are firmly planting your roots in Sharon Springs and hopefully as things settle, if they settle as you have been busy doing so many things this year, I hope you continue writing. You have a beautiful voice and a true gift – use it well.
Thanks for those very kind words, Elaine
I promise to be more diligent
Brent,
I loved this piece. It is all so true. I miss your column but I am so pleased that you are now in Sharon Springs more permanently and keep make it your home.
Andrew wrote about the year of soap boxes – are you shipping any to the London Anthropologie?
Hi, Pru
I’ll try to be more regular with my postings. I do have confirmation from the buyer that the soaps are in the London Anthropologie and should be there unless they are sold out already
dammit…I really wish I could get your site at work…nice article–
Thanks, Bill
Do you need us to start a petition drive?
What a lovely post. And that first picture is gorgeous.
Hi, Patia
I just knew you would like that photo of the roots
Brent, for someone so young, you have a wealth of wisdom………thank you for sharing it with us. I wish you many blessings for a wonderful holiday season.
Thanks, Linda
Any wisdom I’ve gained is the result of many, many, many good teachers. Many, many.
It is an interesting topic…putting one’s roots down. I enjoyed reading.
Did you consider a B&B idea? I think it will work great…!!! There is a B&B in Maine that I love that serve their own eggs to guests and maple syrup from the yard. Amazing!
Have a good Sat evening…my most favorite evening of the week : ) !
Your roots essay is superb in so many ways. I moved up to an old house in Schoharie County, from the West Village, in 1986. I am still contemplating where to plant the odd tree.
Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year to Beekman 1802! I wish you both bliss in the coming year!
Thanks, Anne
And all the same to you, too!