Transporting nursery stock, saplings, or container trees safely from the garden center requires careful planning to ensure the plant’s health. Improper handling during transit can lead to significant physiological stress, potentially resulting in tree death or substantial damage to the vehicle. Understanding the specific requirements for tree transport helps mitigate these risks, ensuring the specimen arrives in optimal condition for planting.
Pre-Transport Preparation
Before transport, prepare the tree for the stresses of the road. The root ball or container must be protected to prevent soil loss and maintain moisture. Placing the container inside a heavy-duty plastic bag or wrapping the base in a tarp contains loose soil and prevents spills inside the car. This protective layer also helps retain moisture around the roots.
The tree’s canopy can be managed by lightly pruning or tying back overly wide branches that might break during transit. Use soft twine to gently draw the branches inward, reducing the overall bulk and minimizing abrasion against the vehicle.
Measure the tree’s height and width after reducing the bulk to confirm it fits safely within the chosen space. Water the tree thoroughly the night before the trip to hydrate the root system, but allow excess water to drain away before transport to avoid oversaturating the soil.
Choosing the Right Transport Method
The tree’s size dictates the appropriate transport method. Smaller trees and saplings frequently fit within the cabin of sedans or SUVs, where they are shielded from wind and weather. When transporting a tree inside, lay it gently across the floor or seats, using a tarp to protect the upholstery from soil and moisture.
Larger specimens or those with significant height are better suited for external transport, such as in a pickup truck bed, on a flatbed trailer, or on a secure roof rack system. These methods accommodate the tree’s size but expose it to highway conditions, requiring additional protective measures. Transporting trees in an open bed requires awareness of wind shear, which can quickly desiccate foliage even during short trips.
Prioritize maintaining the integrity of the tree’s structure. A tree that is too large for the interior should not be forced, as bending or crushing the canopy can cause permanent damage to the growing tips and overall shape.
Securing the Load for Safe Travel
Properly securing the tree is paramount for its survival and the safety of other motorists.
Internal Securing
For trees transported inside the vehicle cabin, the seat belts offer an excellent and readily available securing mechanism. The belt can be threaded around the container or the lower trunk, locking the tree firmly against the seat back or floor to prevent movement during acceleration or braking. Additional bracing materials, like heavy blankets or cushions, can be placed around the container or trunk to fill any gaps, minimizing lateral shifting. This simple step prevents the trunk from rubbing against interior plastic or metal surfaces, which can cause bark abrasions that compromise the tree’s vascular system. The goal is to make the tree an immovable part of the vehicle’s structure for the duration of the journey.
External Securing
When transporting a tree externally, particularly in a truck bed, securement must be robust and utilize appropriate equipment. Ratchet straps are the preferred method for anchoring the root ball or container to fixed points in the truck bed, providing non-elastic, reliable tension. It is advisable to avoid using elastic bungee cords, as they can loosen or fail under stress, potentially allowing the load to shift dangerously.
A second set of straps should be used higher up the trunk to stabilize the tree and prevent it from whipping back and forth in the wind. Furthermore, covering the foliage is a necessary step, especially when traveling at highway speeds. Wind protection is achieved by wrapping the canopy loosely in burlap or a breathable mesh fabric to shield the leaves from windburn and excessive water loss, known as desiccation.
If any part of the tree or its container extends more than four feet beyond the rear of the vehicle, legal requirements in many jurisdictions mandate the use of a brightly colored flag. This safety measure ensures that the extended load is clearly visible to other drivers. Attaching the flag to the furthest point of the load helps prevent rear-end collisions and alerts others to the atypical dimensions of the transport.
Post-Transport Handling
Upon arrival, unload the tree carefully and immediately to mitigate the stress of confinement. Inspect the root ball and soil moisture levels immediately after removing securing devices. Exposure to wind or heat during transit may have caused water depletion, even with pre-trip watering. If the soil feels dry, the tree requires a thorough watering to rehydrate the roots and begin recovery. If the tree cannot be planted immediately, place it in a shaded, sheltered location, protecting it from intense sunlight and strong winds until planting is completed.