How to transport a tree for replanting. Need info.

[John White]

I am purchasing a treed for replanting. I read all about digging it up and wrapping the rood ball. It has about a 38" root ball, and about 18' tall with 6" dia at trunk. The nursery will sit it on my trailer with a forklift. I looked on U-Tube and could not find any information about hauling a large tree. I have to go about 15 miles. Do I raise the tree a little after being placed on trailer and put a saw horse under it to help support it? How do I sit it on without braking branches? Do I wrap a tarp around it?. I have the hole already dug and once I get it home I have a fel to unload it. I just don't want to damage it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If you can go slow on the trip that would help a lot. Otherwise a net would be good. Put lots of water in the hole before putting it in. Make sure there are no voids. I talked to a guy that does nothing but transplant trees. He said you can do it pretty much any time, but the key is to water alot more if not done in the spring or fall.

 

[Jstpssng]

Given a choice I would wait until late fall when it's dormant. Barring that, try to do it on a cool rainy day if you can. Keep the foliage covered and go slow so that you don't have a strong breeze drying the leaves or needles. If a reputable nursery they will help you tie it down safely. As IT said wet the hole before planting, I would put the tree in then get the soil so wet that it's like pea soup. That will help keep the root system from drying out. I also would stake a tree that size.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

 

[oosik]

I've never dealt with a tree that big. I would lie it down on your trailer - root ball forward. Use several cargo straps to hold it down on the trailer. Rotate it on the trailer so that as many limbs as possible support the tree.

 

[goeduck]

I have not moved a tree that large either and I agree that it should be on the side under tarp and if at this time of year, lots of water. On my future transplants, I plan on doing them in the fall rather than spring. Spring always seems to be too busy and they break bud before I get them in the ground. Summers are too dry to transplant in my book. A professional needs to do their work as much of the year as they can, I would lean towards cool weather and dormant tree.

 

[Diggin It]

I've only moved big box store sized trees, 6-8 foot or so. Used a 4x8 utility trailer, strapped them upright to the trailer sides. Even in fall they suffer some leaf burn/drying at 50MPH. I haven't had one fail yet. Is your trailer long enough to lay it flat, or at least lean it down mostly? Above 12' tall, you may have a clearance issue in some places.

 

[fishheadbob]

Professionals would wrap it in shade cloth to keep wind and sun burn off of it, even for that short distance. Shade cloth looks a little like landscape fabric, it cuts down on the sun and wind. A regular piece of plastic is not the answer as leaves may cook some on a bright day. Go around the tree branches several times with twine to gently tie up and bind the branches for ease and safety while moving it, don't untie it until it's in place. Easier to handle that way. You are likely paying a good chunk of change for a tree that big; I'm thinking the nursery ought to tie it for you if you ask. All their trees arrive at their shop bound like that (trucking space isn't cheap and there's ordinarily several on a load) so they should have a good idea how to tie it.
After you get it installed water it heavily until the ground freezes.

 

[Paddy]

Is the nursery digging it out with a tree moving spade? If yes, then they should be wrapping the ball. Ask the nursery how they recommend transporting and after care.

In China they move trees quite large, 6 to 8 in dia. Row after row are planted along roads. Their trick is to completely cut the top of the tree at 10 ft. Often there is only one or two branches left. Root balls are very small and look hacked off. I've seen the after math 20+ years later. All the trees have a very interesting structure, straight trunk to 10ft and then wide crouch branch structure.

The concept is, if you remove roots, then remove some top. Better to have more root action than opposite.

Good luck and keep it watered.

 

[CADplans]

I moved a tree that big,, but, I cheated,, I selected a variety that would not die,,,
I moved a locust,, my wife wanted "instant shade" in that spot,,

I dug the new hole,, then dug up the tree,, moved the tree,, and watered it good for several hours,,

I did not "guy wire" the tree,, it tilted slightly the following year in a big storm,, it is still at that angle,,

The tree that appears to "be growing out of the cart" is the tree I moved,, it is over 24" in diameter now,,

 

[3Ts]

The trees I saw being transported did have a padded sawhorse to keep the branches from being broken and the branches were wrapped with shade cloth. Keep in mind the transport is going to be like exposing it to hurricane force winds for the duration of the transport. Tie it down good and protect it the best you can.