4 ms·

Dug around the plant to keep the roots as undisturbed as possible, moved via truck less than 1 block, immediately replanted into non-amended ground (have heard

Dug around the plant to keep the roots as undisturbed as possible, moved via truck less than 1 block, immediately replanted into non-amended ground (have heard that rich soil can kill them quickly), watered in, continued watering occasionally (~monthly). After about 6 months 3 had died. These were only about 1 foot tall, from a neighbor who had clearance to remove. FWIW, with aloe, a similar process had much greater success of transplant.

pvaldes 3y ago
Probably killed by watering. You need to allow the tree to form a scar before watering it. Just assure that it is balanced and can sustain its own weight using some strong cables or any other support. Those trees can be heavy. And then forget that is there for some weeks. After this time you can start adding water. How much you can wait for watering depends on how harsh is your climate, but the golden rule is to use only the strictly necessary amount of water so the trunk does not shrink. The tree will feed on its reserves for a while and will discard all older leaves to form roots. You will have a lot of yellow leaves in the soil but don't worry, It will recover later from buds. As long as the trunk feels firm and does not show shrinks, the tree is alive. Take in mind that Yucca has a burrowing beetle parasite that can kill them.
- uxamanda 3y ago
  Ah ha! Counterintuitive on not watering but the scarring part makes sense. Will keep my eye out for other trees to try it on, would love a little Joshua tree forest. Thanks for the advice.
  - pvaldes 3y ago
    In any case look for puncture signs in the part of the roots exposed to the air and lower trunk. This could signal the presence of Scyphophorus yucca, that looks like this guy: http://bugguide.net/images/cache/YRI/QCR/YRIQCR7Q9R90OQ40JQM0OQP0Z0P0R00QS060DQ80K020DQYKTR0QDR60S040VRLQURRQ3RP0L090S0U000P0R0W0H0W0.jpg http://bugguide.net/images/cache/YRI/QCR/YRIQCR7Q9R90OQ40JQM... The larvae of this weevil can make burrows in the Joshua Tree and eventually kill your tree.

pvaldes 3y ago

Probably killed by watering. You need to allow the tree to form a scar before watering it. Just assure that it is balanced and can sustain its own weight using some strong cables or any other support. Those trees can be heavy. And then forget that is there for some weeks. After this time you can start adding water. How much you can wait for watering depends on how harsh is your climate, but the golden rule is to use only the strictly necessary amount of water so the trunk does not shrink. The tree will feed on its reserves for a while and will discard all older leaves to form roots. You will have a lot of yellow leaves in the soil but don't worry, It will recover later from buds. As long as the trunk feels firm and does not show shrinks, the tree is alive. Take in mind that Yucca has a burrowing beetle parasite that can kill them.

uxamanda 3y ago
Ah ha! Counterintuitive on not watering but the scarring part makes sense. Will keep my eye out for other trees to try it on, would love a little Joshua tree forest. Thanks for the advice.
- pvaldes 3y ago
  In any case look for puncture signs in the part of the roots exposed to the air and lower trunk. This could signal the presence of Scyphophorus yucca, that looks like this guy: http://bugguide.net/images/cache/YRI/QCR/YRIQCR7Q9R90OQ40JQM0OQP0Z0P0R00QS060DQ80K020DQYKTR0QDR60S040VRLQURRQ3RP0L090S0U000P0R0W0H0W0.jpg http://bugguide.net/images/cache/YRI/QCR/YRIQCR7Q9R90OQ40JQM... The larvae of this weevil can make burrows in the Joshua Tree and eventually kill your tree.