Relocating Trees: What Size Can You Move Safely?

When it comes to relocating trees, size matters. Homeowners can safely move trees with a diameter of 2 inches or less within their own yard. Anything above 4 inches should be handled by professionals. Transplanting large trees is possible with the right strategies, patience, and experience.

Species and size are the first components to analyze, as they will tell us what we need to know to use the best methods. Generally speaking, any tree with a trunk diameter (gauge) less than 10 can be moved with a shovel. Smaller trees can be moved with a tree shovel, a device that can dig the new hole, as well as excavate and transport the tree. Larger trees may require digging, wrapping, or wrapping the root ball and then transporting it by truck. Some trees can be moved with cranes, such as palm trees due to their root growth.

It's important to plan in advance when transplanting a large tree. Root pruning encourages new roots to appear near the tree, within the area of the root ball that will travel with the tree. A depth of 30 to 36 inches (762 to 914 mm) for mature trees is sufficient, but this will vary depending on the type of soil, the age of the tree, and the species. The cost of moving or transplanting large trees is hard to guess without first considering some key factors.

Moving huge trees requires preparation work to make the tree healthy, such as removing dead wood, thinning the tops and applying inoculants. Preserving a tree is often desirable for homeowners who value it so much that they do not want to see it damaged or felled. Digging properly sized planers during the dormant season and watering properly before and after transplanting is extremely important to reduce tree impact, decay and death. It's also important to evaluate the new location, ensuring that it is suitable for the specific tree being moved. Transplanting a large tree from the field to the garden provides immediate shade, a visual focal point and vertical interest. It might be more profitable to buy bare land and then put the price difference on mature trees that can be placed anywhere you want after the construction of the house.

Bart Preti
Bart Preti

Hipster-friendly travel trailblazer. Wannabe pop culture fanatic. Devoted tv scholar. Passionate pop culture scholar. Devoted bacon expert. Avid coffee lover.

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