Its important to recognise and make clear that each situation we come across may lead to slightly different advice and outcomes, the needs of the tree as a biological system remain universal, and the best practice with regards basic principals like planting depth do not change...in fact I'm thinking we should run a thread on just such topics...however I know and i'm sure most of you do too that each tree owner has their own expectations desires for the trees they own, and their particular circumstances can limit what is actually possible whilst retaining the exisiting stock (plants).
Without a fluent Portuguese speaking friend I would not advise trying to get a replacement sapling from the garden centre/nursery. Though yes I do think Ozinus is absolutely right nurseries should be told that their stock is substandard and why, and how to fix the problem, I've been envovlved in stock inspection for bigger corporate clients and have done just that up around Cairns.
The trees should be lifted and replanted at the correct depth no question, will this knock them back for a period? Yes it will, given the thickness of the roots shown in your photo, cutting through those will have a very visible impact on the little sapling. Thats why I've been leaning towards not doing that...have I been fudging too much on this? Probably.
Well done on the lift (I had to rewrite my post but what they hey!!
lol)
Where's the mulch???? Protect the soil from the hot Portuguese sun!!
Keep the soil and roots moist..not drowned. (Get some fish emulsion and seaweed extract...yes, yes I know Portuguese language barrier...you can buy both off the net) Keep us informed of how things go.
