A fruit tree bearing developing fruit can be transferred, but this action carries a high risk of stress that can negatively impact the current harvest. The term “transfer” involves two distinct actions: simple relocation, which is moving the existing container to a new spot, or true transplanting, which is shifting the tree into a larger container or the ground. Relocating the pot is a low-stress event, provided the new location offers adequate light and shelter. Transplanting, however, is a major physical disruption to the root system, forcing the tree to divert resources away from fruit production and toward survival and repair.
The Biological Cost of Moving
The primary challenge of moving a fruiting tree lies in energy allocation. Trees create energy through photosynthesis, converting light, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose. This energy is distributed to various biological “sinks” for growth, maintenance, defense, and reproduction. During the fruiting phase, the developing fruit represents a massive energy sink, demanding a significant portion of the tree’s energy to fuel cell division, expansion, and sugar storage.
Any major disturbance, such as transplanting, triggers a defensive survival response within the tree. This response involves the production of stress hormones, notably abscisic acid (ABA), which accumulates under conditions like drought or root damage. Increased ABA levels signal the plant to conserve water by closing stomata. This reduces water loss but also lowers the rate of photosynthesis, shrinking the overall energy supply.
The diversion of energy to root repair and the reduced photosynthetic rate lead to negative consequences for the fruit. The tree may prematurely drop fruit, a process known as abscission, to reduce the energy demand on the stressed system. For any fruit that remains, the lack of sufficient energy can result in stunted growth, reduced size, or compromised quality, such as lower sugar content. This shift in resource distribution is a protective measure to ensure the tree’s long-term survival, even at the expense of the current harvest.
Assessing Readiness and Timing
Before attempting a transfer, it is helpful to distinguish between relocation and transplanting. Simple relocation of the container is generally safe, provided the tree is not moved into a drastically different light or temperature environment. True transplanting, which disturbs the root ball, requires careful assessment of the fruit’s developmental stage to minimize potential loss.
The stage of fruit development significantly influences the tree’s vulnerability to stress. The period immediately following flowering, known as fruit set, is the most fragile time. During this phase, the tree is prepared to shed excess fruit under stress to achieve a manageable crop load. Stress applied during this early phase is highly likely to induce abscission, causing the newly formed fruits to drop.
A tree with fruits nearing maturity or already full-sized but not yet ripe is generally more tolerant of stress. In this later stage, cellular expansion is mostly complete, and the tree focuses primarily on sugar accumulation. Transplanting during this period still risks a slowdown in ripening or a reduction in the final sugar-to-acid ratio. The best time for major transplanting is always during the tree’s dormant season. If an immediate move is necessary, the decision must balance the risk of losing the current crop against the long-term health of the tree.
Techniques for Successful Relocation
If transplanting is unavoidable while the tree is fruiting, several preparation and execution techniques can help mitigate root shock. One effective pre-move action is to reduce the demand on the tree by removing a portion of the developing fruit. Experts often suggest thinning the crop significantly, sometimes removing up to 98% of the fruit. This ensures the tree allocates energy toward establishing new roots instead of ripening the current harvest.
The physical act of moving the tree should focus on minimizing root ball disturbance. If moving the tree, the new location or planting hole should be prepared completely beforehand to reduce the time the roots are exposed to the air. The new hole should be dug two to three times wider than the root ball to allow for easy lateral root growth.
When the tree is removed from its container, it should be gently slid out, avoiding pulling on the trunk which can damage the root connection point. If the tree is visibly root-bound, gently scoring the outside edges of the root ball with a clean blade encourages new root development. Immediately after placing the tree, thorough deep watering is necessary to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets, which reduces transplant shock. Providing temporary shade for a few days can also reduce transpiration demands on the leaves, allowing the damaged root system time to recover.