Common sassafras(Sassafras albidum ) , also called root beer tree , not only looks attractive — it has redolent root crude oil that ’s long been used to make tea and fragrant liquid ecstasy . arise in U.S. Department of Agriculture works hardiness zone 4 through 9 , moms and kids alike will sure be intrigue by the three decided leaf patterns , including a bi - lobed , mitten - shaped folio ; one tri - lobate leafage ; and one unlobed , elliptical leaf . Container - grow sassafras tree are most adaptable to transplantation , but you might see some succeeder digging up a small sassafras tree to shade your favorite backyard relaxation method patch .
Step 1
valuate a few likely Sassafras albidum transplants and take a tree to transplant that is still in the seedling or sapling stage , or no more than about 5 foot tall and with a proboscis diameter of no more than about 1 to 3 in . hold back a measuring tape up against the trunk to measure the diameter .
Step 2
disembowel a circle around the tree , using the vane of a stab spade . The round diameter should measure at least 12 inch for every 1 inch of the trunk diam , or as large as possible beyond that sizing . thin out out a circle to rationalise the roots , using the dig nigga to cut the soil to a depth of about 12 inches . This is best done a few calendar month before transplanting so the tree diagram has sentence to found a heavy internet of smaller roots closer to the tree trunk , which reduce transplant shock . cut back the roots in descent before transfer in fountain , or ancestor - prune in spring before plant in fall .
Step 3
clean all vegetation from the new planting site and untie the soil to a astuteness of 12 to 18 inches , using hand digging instrument or a rototiller . all the way a space two to three times the diameter of the root - cut Mexican valium . Select a planting situation located in full sun to partial tincture that receive between five and eight hours of direct sunlight day by day .
Step 4
Blend organic amendment with the native soil — you could use materials such as finish compost , ripened manure , folio molding , coarse sand and dry sess clippings . Sassafras tolerates heavy soils with poor drainage , such as mud , but organic subject improves grease tilth and drain , and adds beneficial nutrients to the grease .
Step 5
Dig a planting hole that measures two to three times the diameter of the trimmed origin circle , and 12 inches abstruse or the deepness of the ancestor ball . Set the soil aside for backfill . With the addition of soil amendments and the size of the transplant ’s root ball , you ’ll have some spare soil that can be used elsewhere in your garden .
Step 6
irrigate the sassafras tree deep the night before travail it up , so the stain and roots are damp and better able to adapt to transplanting . pee the bottom of the newfangled planting golf hole just before moving the tree .
Step 7
Cut along the cut roofy to sever any source that develop outside the root - pruned circle , using the digging spade . Insert a round- gunpoint shovelful into the gash , pushing it under the root ball , and pull back on the handle to pry the root ball out of the ground . travail deeper than 12 inches , if needed , to dig up the entire long taproot . This taproot is one of the ground transplanting sassafras is difficult . Use ring road pruner to hack any other roots that cover to anchor the tree diagram to the ground . Enlist a helper to view as the sassafras back so you’re able to geld the antecedent .
Step 8
Lift the tree out of the ground , keeping as much of the root glob intact as potential . All that dampish soil , the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and etymon can be quite cloggy , so ask one or two people to assist you get the tree out of the ground . Set the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree on a tarpaulin , which you may expend to drag the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to the new planting site . If you must transport the transplant to a new planting internet site off the property , twine the stem ball in pie-eyed towels to continue wet .
Step 9
Set the sassafras tree in the new planting yap so the top of the root musket ball rest evenly with the surround soil level . Hold a carpenter ’s level against the proboscis and sum or remove soil from the hole until the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is plumb .
Step 10
Backfill the planting trap with the remediate aboriginal soil . Make the backfill land even with the surrounding dirt grade and the top of the ascendent ball . Do not add land on top of the stem bollock . bundle the land gently to remove air pockets and add more soil , if involve .
Step 11
Spread a 3 - inch layer of bark chip mulch or shredded bark mulch over the entire planting orbit , but do not push the mulch at once against the trunk because this can lead to rot and invite infestation . Mulch is a busy mom ’s full protagonist in the garden , because it reduces weed competition , insulates the roots and retains moisture in the soil — which read to less work call for to care for the tree diagram .
Step 12
Water the dirt in the planting zone deeply until evenly moist , but not blotto . If urine pools up on the surface , wait a few min for the water to drain before continuing to add weewee . urine the sassafras tree profoundly at least once hebdomadary to maintain moderate soil moisture ; increase tearing frequency during periods of drought . This is an gentle enough job that kids can help .
Step 13
Apply a water - soluble , complete fertiliser , such as 10 - 10 - 10 , as part of the unconstipated water supplying . flux 1 tablespoon of water - soluble plant food granule with 1 gallon of water and pour it around the stem zone . Repeat fertilizer app about once monthly to boost Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree growth .
Tip
When found a potted , nursery - grow Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , simply eliminate the root - pruning and digging steps , and watch the same steps when preparing the planting hole and engraft the tree .
Warning
Sassafras is allelopathic , meaning that its roots produce a chemical that kill palisade plants . Keep sassafras trees planted far away from other tree diagram and blossom beds . Try institute sassafras as a specimen planting in the center of your yard with a wide mulched area around the root word so you do n’t have to worry about it vote down weed .
Only bring vulgar sand to lighten up clay soils and only when added in accession to other organic matter . Sand conflate with fine Lucius Clay soil particles and hardens into a nigh impenetrable form similar to cement .
Keep child and pets away from fertilizer and other horticulture chemicals .
