Transplanting trees??????

[rtdiggr]

I would like to transplant some trees, they are about 3-4" in diameter.
My question is, is it alright to use a backhoe or should i go rent a tree spade for about $250 a day.

Thanks Shane

 

[tony123]

I'm a Landscape Architect, and we frequently use tree spade companies on our projects.

I know very little actually, but do know a few general concepts in the tree spade industry.

- Even a nursery grown well groomed tree with all the proper treatments (including microrihza and other bio treatments) only has an 80% success rate.

- Wild grown trees are very sensative. Some do much better than others. Maples are one of the safer bets. But as a whole, it is a 40 / 60 success rate.

- Trees in the 2-3" range are much more successful than anything larger.

- The main culprit in killing spade trees is air pockets. This is why common practice is to water in very well with sand. It is also why a spade that can dig a perfect hole is more successful. I would think a backhoe could lead to more air pockets.

Hope all that helps some.

In the end, if you have a large supply of free trees and already own the backhoe, why not try it.

Good luck.

 

[rtdiggr]

Thanks for the info, i like the 80% with a spade than the 40-60% without it.
Plus it is a chance to try a new implement.

Shane

 

[Tororider]

Depending on how many trees you are looking to do and how many days you would need to rent the spade, you may want to look at buying one used. In the end you can take your time moving them, and then either sell the spade when you are done or have another attachment. I think there is a company called tree toad that makes a 3 pt hitch model.

 

[art]

Go with the tree spade as you will not damage as many roots. I'd say from past experiece a 18" backhoe bucket will kill that tree, lucky if a 25" would do it!

 

[john_bud]

A 36" bucket works pretty good..... but you only get 1 chance to scoop it! Best be soft soil or you will be looking for a different tree.

jb

 

[rtdiggr]

Thanks for the input, i do have a 24"bucket but it seems the potential for damage is still there, and probable high.

The idea of a new implement hum!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Shane

 

[jeffinsgf]

The experienced tree spaders I have talked to will tell you that your 4 inchers are too big and your threes are pushing the limit. It takes on of those truck sized spades and a lot of skill to transplant anything 4 inches or over.

Take a look at a Bobcat "Digger" or similar. It's designed to root prune and transplant -- but 2 - 2-1/2 inch is the largest I would tackle with it.

 

[Gatorboy]

A 4" tree will need at least a 40" root ball.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Shane,
I cant offer any real advice on transplanting anything that big, it looks like the guys have given you some good numbers to start with. I did transplant a bunch of small pines this past spring, anything from 2 ft high to less than a ft and out of 50 + trees we got about 35 to survive so I guess the ratio that Tony gave you was close to the mark on success rate !

I do know that after digging all those holes by hand Im going to get a post hole digger by next spring !

 

[woodlandfarms]

I built this spade for my PT. It has only 1100 lbs of lift. The spade cost me around $400 or so to make....

We tried it out this summer, knowing that we would have a very limited success rate with it. And yes, pretty much well everything died. Last winter we transplanted a few 4" trees and had 100% success. Timing is everything. We will again move some trees this winter...

I would love to have areal spade, but my tractor cannot handle the weight, and my wallet is earmarked for other things...

Carl

 

[rtdiggr]

Thanks for the info guys, I called today about renting a tree spade, the guy said the model they have needs a 70-80 hp tractor so my "little" 1433 will not do the job. But he did say he has one to go on a skid steer it works out to be around $600 aday with the spade.
Maybe i will be planting saplings insteed.

Shane

 

[radman1]

I have done small cedars with backhoe and had total success. Ground was wet and trees small. Watered in immediately. Moved about 12 2-3' tall cedars and all survived. Moved in cool weather. You basically get one chance with the backhoe. So make it good.

I have use a 30" bobcat tree spade. This year purchased a used 36" Caretree spade with rear stabilizers and 800# of rear weights to go on the stabilizers. (total weight about 1200#) 36" tree spade weighs 1600# and root ball about 800-900# and the weight sits far forward on the skid steer. Rule of thumb is 10-12" of spade per 1" diameter of trunk. I have broken that rule many times but you better be able to water the tree frequently the first couple of years. Pines/cedars can be moved during the summer but still stresses the tree in hot weather and some will die. Ideally move them in the fall or spring. Don't move when seeding/ pollinating.
Hardwoods and trees should only be moved when dormant or you will have a high death rate.

Rental rate for 30" bobcat spade was $125/day. You can move a lot of trees with skid steer and spade in one day if the distance is not great. I moved about 40-50 trees and bushes in 7-8 hours but only moved them about 100 yards on the average. You can do more if the ground isn't too hard and if the SS has 2 speed.

 

[Redbug]

Hi Shane,

For the cost of renting a digger for a couple days or so, you could buy your own stump bucket, (and always have it). I have one and have transplanted a few small trees and bushes with it. Depending on the tree, I went around it and pushed down vertically with the bucket, then lifted most of the root ball out. It helps to have your hole dug first, then remove the tree. I got the Markham...
Markham Welding - Grubber/Stump Bucket

 

[tessiers]

We have transplanted many trees on our property with great success. We have native american elm trees and before I started I got a horticulturalist in to look over the trees and make recomendations. First of all we didn't end up moving any elms. We did move many pine, fir and maples. His recomendation was to move two trees, one 2' tall and one 10'-12' tall. In ten years they will be the same height, because the small trees handle the stress much better and are easier to move. The larger trees will be stressed more and stunted as a result. Low and Behold he was right. I had to see it to believe it. We have had about 90% success with the softwoods that were 2' tall, 75% with the small maples, 65% with all of the larger trees. All of the transplanting has been done with a backhoe. His other recomendation which proved true was to dig a large fairly shallow hole as opposed to a narrow deep hole. (we started digging with a 18" posthole digger)

 

[rtdiggr]

hum now even more to think about, maybe i should try a few see how they make out, and then some more next year. most of the trees are white spruce 10-12' and some oak and maple about 15'.

Thanks Shane

 

[case685]

Hi Shane I had 10 trees about the same size moved 7 years ago. I had a guy come in with a 48" spade. It was early December and there was about 3" of frost in ground. All the trees made it and have done well.
I believe they thrived because the large spade and the time of year resulted in very little stress on them. If the trees are really important to you I'd go that route, if not you could try some of the other methods. Just make sure you water, water, water next year and depending how they do probably the year after too. Too little watering is a mistake a lot of people make.Gerry

 

[flusher]

I would like to transplant some trees, they are about 3-4" in diameter.
My question is, is it alright to use a backhoe or should i go rent a tree spade for about $250 a day.

Thanks Shane

A neighbor is harvesting 100-year-old olive trees and selling them for landscaping.

He gets them out of the ground using bobcats, backhoes and a big transporter thing (on the right side of the photo).

Don't know what he gets for these babies, but my guess would be around $5K each installed.

 

[AlanB]

Could someone that has had success with the backhoe method, spell out how they did it?

I have a Ford 555C with a 30" bucket.