Transplanting

The boys and I have taken on the job of landscaping our yard.  We have many ideas, but our resources are limited.  The boys would love to see tall, tall trees, for climbing, tree houses and hammocks.  Reality though, is that even if we bought trees big enough to climb they would still take several years to get established. 

Establishing a trees is not easy.  At least it has not been for me.  Over the years we have bought a number of trees, planted them according to the instructions and cared for them carefully.  One wouldn't know it by looking at our home.  The trees we have are few in number.  Just this last winter, we lost two more.

I'm not sure what we are doing wrong, or if we are doing anything wrong.  It could just be where we live.  Our house gets hit with the force of the wind coming across the lake.  It is relatively unprotected, compared to other homes in the area.  The businesses in town get the same treatment we do... And I've noticed that the town replanted about half their trees last spring.

So this year, we are trying something different.  Something I have experimented with a bit before, but not really pursued.

We are transplanting runners from several neighbors.

Yesterday, we dug up little aspens and a few 'wild' maples.  The maples are what ever the settlers brought with them from Europe (or grew naturally on the East coast), when they came west.  These not only were planted here, but established themselves to such a point they are now considered native.  I love the way they look, and they have the hardiness to survive here.  The Japanese maple in my front yard struggles to grow, no matter how much care I give it.

If the maples I transplanted take off like I think they will, that will bring my wild maple count up to five.  Last year three of them came up in my flower bed, and I transplanted them to the back yard.  They are doing so well, I am extremely encouraged.

I have never transplanted aspens before, but the amount of root we were able to dig up with the little trees tells me they should do well.  Three years ago, I brought home a birch runner, with barely a hint of root.  It is now over 6 foot tall, and has only leafed out so far this year.  I am looking forward to seeing what this years growth does for it!