Hi all,

Been a while since my last posting here but I want to get some of your thoughts on how to transport a 10 year old fig tree growing in a 20 gallon plastic tub. I don’t have a closed van so I must use a pi ck up truck. The journey the tree would be making is about an hour and a half some of it on 4 lane highways.

The tree has some bribas on it and is in full leaf. That's what I want to avoid is wind damage to the tree while in route. My idea is to cover the tree in a light blankets tied off around the trunk so it can't blow off then tip the container over and have the tree lying on the bed of the truck.

 
My thoughts are having the top of the tree facing the cab thinking maybe the cab might offer some wind protection. I plan to place wedges on each side of the tub to prevent it rolling around. As far AS PREVENTING IT SLIDING FORWARD IN CASE OF A SUDDEN STOP--NOT SURE WHAT TO DO FOR THAT

THERE ARE BRANCHES HEADING IN THREE DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS SO I PLAN ON COVERNING Each on independently.

Open for idea or suggestions. Forgive the caps!!!

Regards

Lou   NE, PA

Hi Lou,

Cecil, lay the tree down, wrap the root ball with burlap and and wrap the top part too with burlap.  I would place the root ball near the cab because that's the heaviest part.  You're gonna loose some figs and some leaves but it will arrive safely.  You're gonna need a good bit of the soil it came from too.  cheers

Hi Lou:

1) Get a time-machine;

2) Go back 2 months ago, to when the tree was still dormant.

Just kidding!  ;-)

Cecil and Dennis have good suggestions.

My serious suggestion is this though: Be careful you don't hurt yourself moving something this heavy.  Get some help if you can.

In better or worse condition, it will make it, and you will have a great tree.

Best wishes.

John

I nearly defoilated several trees transporting them in the back of my pick up two years ago.   You are right to ask for advice.  Take all the precautions that you can.

Dave

I brought a 10 ft desert king 200 miles from virginia to New jersey in a pick up truck. Get some bailing twine and tie up the branches like you are going to winterize it. Then wrap the entire thing with the burlap and tie it again with the twine. Place the pot against the cab and tie or block in place to prevent rolling. the entire tree should look like it is going away for the winter wrapped up nice and tight. let the top lay flat out the tailgate do not allow it to bounce on the top of the tailgate. you can get it as far as you need this way and it will arrive with minimal damage

Lou,

You plan is fine. There is less wind near the cab. However, a sudden stop will shift the tree forward, so, make sure to tie it to the tail gate,

Thanks guys I will take all your recommendations into account especially having help to get it up on the bed of the truck

Thanks guys

Lou

Low,

Cover the canopy with an old bed sheet ( two if needed ).
Place the tree upright and all the way to the front and tie it down.

Put some boxes on both sides of the pot so they can help from shifting side to side.

You will be just fine.

The pic I'm including was recently transported on a pick up truck the same way but without covering the canopy.

Just remember to drive careful.

Guys, this isnt that hard.

Do not cover it with a bed sheet, you need protection from the wind.

Load the tree so that it is laying down with the pot towards the cab. Use a 2x4 on blocks to keep the top of the tree from laying down. Get newspaper and bunch it up over the pot and tape it in place to keep the soil from falling out.

Then, cover it in 2 silver tarps avail at HD to keep it cool, the front tarp over lapping the second tarp to keep the wind from getting under it with the branches . Next, bungie the living daylights out of it to keep the tarp tied down and taught. You can drive all day like this.

I have moved countless trees like this, never lost one and without any wind damage.

I would also try to keep my speed as low as possible without causing  a problem. 60 mph is much better than 70.

Hi Lou - I just sent you an email.  Please get in touch.

Joe