Tree Transplanting

[Porshaah]

Hi All

Does anyone have any experience transplanting trees? More specifically, Spruce trees about 20 to 30 feet high, about 30 years old with a 8" diameter trunk. There's 3 growing about 6 feet apart on a flat rock shelf about 3 feet down (i.e. so the roots can't go too deep but if they found a crack in the rock shelf then?) in loamy soil. There is an Oak tree within this group which I'm most interested in having survive. Is a Kubota B21 capable or should I rent something like a Case 530 or should I just cut down the Spruce trees?

All response welcom
Bill

 

[beenthere]

I think the shortest, quickest, least amount of trouble (and eventual disappointment) would be to cut 'em down.

But if time and effort is no problem, getting the spruce to survive in a new location just might be worth the gamble (and you would be the #1 tree mover on TBN and in the neighborhood). :cool2:

I have a lot of 30' spruce trees (about 1200) that are intermixed with red oak, and I want rid of them. I don't want to deal with the stumps from a mowing standpoint, so I grub them out with my FEL and forks. Carry them away to a dump pile for the rabbits to live.

 

[MMagis]

I’m certainly no expert, but I don’t think you’ll have much, if any, luck having them survive the move. At the very least, I think you need to make the move when the trees are dormant. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in.

 

[TripleR]

We had quite a few trees to move, so we bought a 3-point tree mover to remove the trees and used a backhoe to dig new hole. This requires a lot of work and watering to make sure to get rid of air pockets. We had far better results doing so when dormant and sometimes, depending on the tree, pruning it back. Several years later, we got most of our original investment back.

And yes, some trees did not fare well until we learned what we were doing.

 

[jimgerken]

I think the problem is going to be picking up the massive amount of soil that surrounds a root that is that big. There are going to be 3-4 inch roots going horizontal and they will spread in several directions from each tree, 10-15 feet from the trunk. If you cut off half of it, the tree is doomed. And if you bare-root them, they are doomed. At this point, its best just to leave them alone. One oak tree is not worth loosing all the rest. I bet it is a pretty little clump of trees just the way it is.

 

[roger 4400]

Spruces have roots on surface, not deep roots, but they run far I don't think you could easily take them away and plant them ( a too large surface would be needed . They can survive in the shade of other trees for many years ｱ50 years and only then they need full sun). Oak need sun and they have deep roots ( taproots like black walnuts) and are well anchored in the soil. ( it is my opinion, I plant many trees every years but they are a few years, not mature). Good luck

 

[studor]

You would need a very large tree spade to have any hope of digging them out and having them live. Phone a local tree mover and ask the what trhe largest tree they will move is Spruce tend to have shallow roots and they often get damaged when you run equipment near them
I am pretty sure tree movers will tell you it is not worth the trouble. JMHO

 

[AndyMA]

If you have equipment that is large enough, they are not difficult to move. The success rate is about 100% if done properly. My Dad. a nurseryman and I moved many trees. The safest time to move them is when they are frozen in the winter. We would cut around them in the fall (remember the fibrous roots extend to the drip circle of the tree) and that would be the ideal size to cut out to. Typically it is way too large so so out as far as you can lift. dig a trench around the root ball and line the hole with hay. Water HEAVILY daily. Let the rootball freeze and move when frozen. My Dad called it the icecube method.

I have a cousin who does $$ dollar tree moves. The excavate a trench around the tree at the drip edge and drive pipes under the tree to cut the roots and form a solid bottom (lace together). Then they build a solid box around the tree with timbers and use a crane or two to lift. They have moved large trees through the Panama canal and also just dug trees and rotated them for a better appearance.

Just a couple of ideas. It can be done. Personally they seem rather large unless you can bring in a decent size excavator to help. The they are easy.

Andy

 

[RalphVa]

You really need a tree spade for this kind of work. I'd check into having someone do it for you.

Otherwise, the way to move trees is to bare root them by digging completely around the root ball and then use a power washer to get rid of the dirt around the roots. Think you'll also need a pump to pump the water/slurry over to your new hole to not get innundated with water/slurry. This method is the way Virginia Tech tree research people are using to move their trees now. They also recommend this for when you buy a tree and plant it.

An alternative to a power washer is air pressure. This would present fewer problems with lots of water/slurry to get out of the hole and into the new hole. You'd just shovel out the dirt as you loosened it with air pressure.

We once had a Japanese Maple tree moved from one side of a sidewalk to the other side. The guy barerooted it because of its size. I just watered it fairly well for a few weeks after (didn't over do it). It was fine when we sold the house.

Ralph

 

[Botabill]

That's a tall tree. Even if it can survive with lots of root mass and water it will need to be tethered to prevent it from blowing over for many years. I'd cut them down and plant some young ones and let them grow. You'll be amazed how fast trees grow (or people age). Also you will be less likely to damage the roots of the tree you want to keep by cutting them.