If the plant is removed from clay soils, any glazing of the soil ball should be roughened before burlapping or potting. Storing and Transporting Trees and shrubs that have been dug for transplanting should be planted as soon as possible. When a tree or shrub is stored, it should be protected from direct sunlight, winds, and temperature extremes. If any woody plants cannot be planted for more than a week, their roots should be covered with a mulch or moist soil and the plants should be placed in a shaded area. In all cases root systems should not be allowed to dry out.
Dry roots can severely decrease the potential for transplant success.
Trees and shrubs must be protected when transporting to a planting site. Covered trucks and vans are best, but if a pickup truck is used, a tarp must be in place to protect the plant canopies and roots from drying winds in transit. Planting Proper planting holes are important in tree survival. If the soil is clay and the sides of the hole become glazed during digging, the sides of the hole should be roughened with a spade. Prewater holes before planting in dry soils.