Transplanting mature trees is an involved operation, and causes much stress and risk to the tree. If your tree’s trunk (at 4 inches above the ground) is more than an inch in diameter, you’ll need to provide about 10 to 12 inches of diameter to the root ball for every inch of trunk diameter. For depth, one Cooperative Extension sites says that if the root ball is less than 20 inches in diameter, then depth would be 75% of that; for greater than 20 inches, but less than 30, about 66%. If more than 30 inches, 60% or more of the diameter. This can get very heavy, so you’ll need proper equipment or will need to call in a professional. (A ball 24 inches in diameter and 16 inches depth can weigh more than 200 pounds.)
To increase the chance of survival, it is recommended that for the first year, you root prune during very early spring, when the tree is still dormant, cutting into the soil with a flat spade at the diameter determined for the root ball, and to about 24 inches deep (but not under the plant). Mark where you have made your cuts. During the growing season, small roots will grow within the rootball zone, which will help with transplanting; water thoroughly after root pruning.
Transplanting is done when the tree is dormant — in colder climates, in late fall, when the leaves have fallen off the tree but the ground has not frozen. Or, in warmer areas, you can do this in winter when the plant is dormant. It is best to prepare the new hole with soil amendments a little beforehand—dig a hole 3 times as wide as the root ball and as deep as the rootball, and water it. Water around the tree the day before, to soften the soil. Dig a few inches out from where you want the rootball, so that you include the small roots formed during the growing season. Use loppers, shears, or a pruning saw to sever roots neatly to discourage disease. Wrap the rootball in burlap to transport it (when you get to the new site, remove the burlap before planting). Provide water and mulch after planting and pamper and monitor it closely during the first several weeks. It will take a while for the tree to recover from transplant shock.
Transplanting mature trees is an involved operation, and causes much stress and risk to the tree. If your tree’s trunk (at 4 inches above the ground) is more than an inch in diameter, you’ll need to provide about 10 to 12 inches of diameter to the root ball for every inch of trunk diameter. For depth, one Cooperative Extension sites says that if the root ball is less than 20 inches in diameter, then depth would be 75% of that; for greater than 20 inches, but less than 30, about 66%. If more than 30 inches, 60% or more of the diameter. This can get very heavy, so you’ll need proper equipment or will need to call in a professional. (A ball 24 inches in diameter and 16 inches depth can weigh more than 200 pounds.)
To increase the chance of survival, it is recommended that for the first year, you root prune during very early spring, when the tree is still dormant, cutting into the soil with a flat spade at the diameter determined for the root ball, and to about 24 inches deep (but not under the plant). Mark where you have made your cuts. During the growing season, small roots will grow within the rootball zone, which will help with transplanting; water thoroughly after root pruning.
Transplanting is done when the tree is dormant — in colder climates, in late fall, when the leaves have fallen off the tree but the ground has not frozen. Or, in warmer areas, you can do this in winter when the plant is dormant. It is best to prepare the new hole with soil amendments a little beforehand—dig a hole 3 times as wide as the root ball and as deep as the rootball, and water it. Water around the tree the day before, to soften the soil. Dig a few inches out from where you want the rootball, so that you include the small roots formed during the growing season. Use loppers, shears, or a pruning saw to sever roots neatly to discourage disease. Wrap the rootball in burlap to transport it (when you get to the new site, remove the burlap before planting). Provide water and mulch after planting and pamper and monitor it closely during the first several weeks. It will take a while for the tree to recover from transplant shock.