Potting up tree saplings you find in your garden is a great way to grow new plants or share young trees with friends and neighbors. The steps are simple, but taking your time helps the saplings grow strong and healthy.

First, identify the saplings you want to pot up. Younger saplings generally adapt better to being moved. Choose a cool, overcast day or work in the early morning or evening to minimize stress on the plant.

Get your pots ready by choosing ones with drainage holes and filling them with good, peat-free potting mix. Use a trowel to gently dig around the sapling, keeping as much of the roots and surrounding soil as you can. Carefully lift the sapling by the base of the stem.

Place the sapling into the prepared pot, setting it at the same depth it grew in the garden. Fill around the roots with the potting mix, firming gently to remove air pockets. Water the sapling thoroughly after potting to help settle the soil and hydrate the roots.

Position the potted sapling in a sheltered spot with indirect sunlight for the first few weeks. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. As the sapling establishes, gradually acclimate it to more light and eventually to outdoor conditions if you intend to plant it out again.

With patience and care, potting up garden saplings is a simple way to multiply trees and encourage a greener, more diverse environment.