Digging up pecan trees to replant

[Jose263]

Thanks to all - good info -
Happy growing - Oh, and Merry Christmas
Jose

 

[schoolsout]

Schoolsout,

I saw a strange method when I was in China. They move trees 6-7" in diameter. They start by cutting the top off at about 12'. I mean not a single branch, looks like a log with a small root ball. As I would drive down the highway, there would be miles of these "logs" planted. Latter in the trip, I'd see older logs with massive amounts of sprouts. finally, nice full grown trees all exactly the same height for the first branching structure.

All I can guess is if the top is removed, much less roots are needed. kind of like a stump growing back after being cut off. As side note, I had a 6" dia wild cherry blow over in a storm once. As it was laying down, I did a major hair cut. Then I hooked up the tractor and stood it back up. Tied a rope to it to secure. Tree is now about 12" dia.

I've dug up ~4" dia. pear trees by cutting all the limbs back close to the trunk, but enough length to have a few buds form and grow later. I think you are right when you say the less leaves/limbs on tree, less roots needed to live.