How big of a tree is too big to move?

[ultrarunner]

I have seen very large california maples moved. The process takes years. They slowly dig around the tree, in the winter, going down a foot at a time, then they put a wooden planks in a box shape around the newly dug space. rinse and repeat until they are at quite deep. I have seen it go as much as 8 feet. they then dig under, placing the bottom of the box. Then a dozer or a large crane the the box out of the ground, the tree is transported by large truck and some bilionaire gets an endangered tree in its estates yard...

Carl

Reminds me of pictures I've seen from when Hearst Castle was being built...

Huge, ancient trees needed to be moved for the ideal aesthetics... it was a giant undertaking... but, it did work.

My efforts at moving trees has been ok at best... yes, they have all lived. I took a lot of work and small trees that I planted have surpassed the ones I transplanted...

 

[LD1]

IF they were a more valuable tree, I'd say possibly give it a try, but you woulld probabally only have a 50% chance at best with the hoe. So look at it as $70/tree.

BUT...since you say they are pin oaks, I wouldnt waste my time. Those trees are MESSY yard trees, arent great for shade (tall and skinny with minimal leaves down low), no commercial value for lumber, and not very good firewood.

If it were me, I'd plant some fast growing shade trees like a poplar, and inbetween them, plant a slower growing tree like a white or red oak, maple, hickory, etc.

When the hardwood trees become big enough for shade, take the poplars out.

 

[PapaPerk]

For that large of a tree you need a tree spade that is mounted to a tractor trailer size truck. They are movable... but only if done with the right equipment. You have to keep the root ball intact and at that size the only way is with the really large tree spades. :thumbsup:

 

[woodlandfarms]

Sorry guys,,, California Oaks. Wife was quite peeved I didn't know the difference.

If you ever want a good show of excess...

A number of years ago I worked for Gary Winnick of Global Crossings. He was doing a remodel on his new home to the tune of 30 mil. I was told he bought the house for 45 mil cash, but have since read it was 60 mil cash and 30 mil credit (90 mil plus). Anyway, more than likely more cash than most of us will have lying around for a new home.

He ordered a California Oak. One of these big ones (Probably a 22 inch trunk) Masive crane, massive hole, I met the arborist who showed me the process because I was so enamoured with moving these amazingly large and beautiful trees. The tree was in the ground for a month when Winnick showed up and said he wanted to move it 3 feet. So they did. In a month the tree was dead. 3 months searching for the perfect replacement and another was found and installed.

As California Oaks are protected, I believe (very unconfirmed) that a substantial donation to some tree society got the paperwork to transplant these trees moved quickly and unimpeded.

One thing I learned in all of this is that if you transplant a large tree, put a few pieces of 3 or 4" PVC into the hole coming out the top. If you water down these tubes it guarantees root growth down as top watering seldom works.

Carl

http://wikimapia.org/3959133/Casa-Encantada

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.luxist.com/media/2008/12/legendaryestatesbeverlyhills_pg271.jpg

 

[galaxie428]

Thanks for the replies guys. I actually have plenty of shade trees in my yard, I just hate seeing nice trees like that just bulldozed down. I am going to get a couple of flowering pears to replace a couple old apple trees that we cut down last weekend. Those are small enough the guy can get them with the spade and, there are several maples that are small enough to get with a spade too but those bigger trees sure are nice.

I called around today trying to find a bigger spade but no luck. About a 3.5" dia tree was about as big as I could find. That is of course without paying someone some major bucks to bring something bigger in.