Moving a tree - recommendations?

We have a gorgeous Japanese maple tree in our new house that is poorly placed (it's growing into the pool). It's about 6 feet high and 8 feet in diameter. Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who can move this tree for us? I would like it to survive the move - if at all possible.

Thanks so much!

Re: Moving a tree - recommendations?

bump in case someone can help...

Re: Moving a tree - recommendations?

you can do this your self....

1) Move in early spring while the tree is dormant; any other time can be fatal.
2) preserve as wide a diameter of the root ball as possible, start at least 3 feet from the base of the tree in each direction.
3) make clean cuts of the roots
4) Water regularly after moving the tree to compensate for root injury
5) Let the tree decide which limbs to kill off in spring, and prune those after it is clear which ones the tree intends to lose

The bigger the tree, the longer the recovery. A rule of thumb is that it takes one year for every inch of tree diameter to recover.


Dig the new hole before you dig up the tree or shrub. Once you dig up the plant, the longer its roots go without a home, the lower your chances for successful transplanting.


The width of the new hole should be twice that of the rootball. The depth should be kept a bit shallower, to avoid puddling and consequent rotting.




this can be done over a weekend.. but it is VERY hard work......

Message edited 7/10/2010 11:01:55 AM.

Re: Moving a tree - recommendations?

Thanks for the recommendation. We have moved smaller bushes before, but this is going to be too big of a project for us right now with all the other projects we have going on that we're doing ourselves.