In most cases, transplanting is not a desirable way to get much planting stock. Often you can not be sure what the parent stock was like. The act of transplanting itself usually damages the transplant and other plants growing nearby. Here are some areas where you can safely get transplants:

Forest roads

Most people do not want trees growing up on their forest roads. Most of the plants would get run over by machinery anyway, so this is a great place to practice guilt-free transplanting. Again, be careful of damaging roots of trees growing alongside the road - they spread for long distances at shallow depths.

Fields

If you are looking for alders to plant, many farmers will let you dig them for free from their fields that have started to grow up. Other species not wanted by farmers can be found in fields, such as willow, and hawthorn.

Roadside ditches

Often a good source of willow, alder, and red osier dogwood. These are usually hacked down by machines or workers every year, so taking some of the smaller plants does little harm.

Most shrubs are easy to transplant, especially if under 2 feet (60 cm) tall. Dig plants early in the spring before new growth has started and ideally after a rain when the soil is soaked. Most roots will be within 8 inches (20 cm) of the surface, so a wide hole is better than a deep one. A bushel basket will hold larger specimens, while small plants fit into 2 litre milk containers. The better you treat the transplant, the more successful it will be. Here are some general tips:

• Try to keep all roots intact with as much soil in place as possible. Prune all damaged roots and branches.
• Keep transplants moist, but not soaking wet, at all times. Soil should be wet enough to hold together.
• Tall transplants of alder, willow, wild rose and other species benefit by being pruned back to 1-2 feet (30-60 cm). The larger the root ball and the more you can water the plant, the less you need to cut it back.
• Plant in a suitable location (common elder from a wet area should not be placed in a dry windbreak).
• Place transplants into the ground at the same depth as they were originally growing.
• Water thoroughly at transplant time.
• Mulch transplants after planting, using old hay or straw, wood chips, bark, seaweed, leaves or grass.