How to move with plants

A friend recently asked me about how to safely move several containerized fruit and nut trees across country.

Cardboard boxes and potted plant (pexels)

She was worried about the wind breaking branches and all the leaves being torn off, and with good reason. It’s not simply a matter of throwing them in the back of a truck and hittin’ the highway. Even local moves can be difficult (or deadly) for your plants.
 
It all depends on what types of plants you are moving, how you are moving [open pick-up truck v. enclosed rental truck], how far, and the time of year.
 
There are some tips that apply to all types of moves:
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• Feed your plants well in advance of the move. Water well the day before loading. This gives plants time to absorb the moisture they’re going to need without the soil being overly wet and less able to support the plants as they are jostled.
• After loading, ratchet strap the containers into place to prevent them from moving around. Plant roots don’t take kindly to being shaken up.
• Drive as slowly as you can, especially on rough roads.
• When you arrive, place your plants in a protected area for at least a few days. A couple of weeks is better. Look at it as a pseudo-quarantine. This gives your plants time to resettle into their soil before they have to start dealing with a new collection of pests and diseases.

 
Local moves
 
Local moves are the easiest. For one thing, there is no real climate change to deal with, though sun exposure may change. Follow the above tips and simply move smaller plants in your car. For larger plants and trees, you will need to take a few extra steps.
 
Open pick-up truck moves
 
Transporting trees and other large plants in the back of a truck is totally doable, as long as you keep them stable, protected, and hydrated. Load the tallest trees closest to the truck cab and then the shorter trees. Wrap the trees in old sheets or other lightweight fabric (not plastic) to protect them against wind damage. Some trees, such as cherry, may need to be staked. Depending on the size and shape of the containers, smaller plants may be wedged between the larger plants.
 
Temperature changes can be hard on your plants. If it gets cold at night during longer moves, you may want to wrap the pots with blankets.
 
Enclosed rental truck moves
 
Use the same loading and strapping procedures mentioned above. Short distance moves using enclosed trucks don’t need any other steps. Too much heat or cold can be devastating over longer distances. If it especially hot, you may need to drive at night and find a shady spot to park, with the loading door open, in the afternoons. Otherwise, your plants may end up baked to death. Blankets wrapped around the containers can help offset cold, but not freezing, temperatures.
 
Your plants may need a little extra TLC once they arrive at their new home. Don’t we all?
 
It may take them some time to get used to their new surroundings before they start blooming, fruiting, or flowering. That’s normal.