This makes it hard for the tree to bounce back once it is replanted in a new location. The root ball of your selected sapling should be between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) for each 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the trunk's diameter at chest height. We welcome your comments and Select the planting site and prepare the planting hole before you do any further digging on the maple. Measure the trunk diameter about 12 inches (305mm) from the ground. It really depends on the size of the parkway. This will give the roots a good start with their nutritional requirements. I we have young maple tree (October glory) that ... Hi All, I have a couple of questions about my 15ish year old maple tree. Put the tree … Use a spade shovel and dig carefully around the tree. Lots of other trees are fine at 6 inch Caliper. Draw a circle on the soil around the tree with a radius of 24 inches. To answer your question of how big a root ball to take, I can only say - as big as possible. People Who Would Like to Get Paid for Growing © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Maple trees (Acer spp.) Palm trees can be an exception to most of the rules above. When you go to water the tree again, this small depression will hold some water and let is soak into the root system. When Should You Move a Cherry Tree to a New Location? Try not to damage too many roots in the process. This pruning of long roots also encourages formation of shorter roots that can be transplanted with the tree. In the spring, just before the buds come out, you can take cuttings to propagate the maple tree. If you are transplanting a tree that is 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, then your hole should be at least 8 feet wide and deep enough for the tap root to be fully enclosed. Exposure . How to Transplant Maple Trees With a Three Year Maturity, University of California Cooperative Extension Napa Valley: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: Trident Maple, Fine Gardening: Enchanting Japanese Maples, North Dakota State University Extension Service: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs, Oak Woodland Conservation Workgroup: Frequently Asked Questions. You can transplant a young maple successfully if you act with care, but call in professionals for larger specimens. I had been growing maple trees in a cup, in hopes of giving them as a gift.... Hi, hope someone can help. STEP 1 To properly prepare the tree for pruning, water it well the day before. November25,1998 I have about 6 maple saplings that I would like to transplant to other areas of my yard. Absent significant rainfall, deep-water the soil around the maple's roots around twice a month. We have a wide variety of trees growing in our fields to pick from. are easy to transplant successfully, especially when they are only three years old, 6 to 10 feet tall and can still be transplanted bare-root. Why Transplant. If you’re planning to transplant a tree in the spring, then prune roots the previous fall. It creates a stressful environment which can shock the tree. For example, if your tree has a trunk diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm), the diameter of the root ball should be 16 to 24 inches (41 to 61 cm). 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. You landscaping, which is anchored by a maple tree, will make a powerful statement as people first see your yard. For most mature trees, you will need space to dig two big holes: one to dig the tree out, and one in the new tree location. Transplanting large trees is another option, and in many cases it's a fairly fast and simple one. You can actually transplant just about anything in fall. Moving large trees and having them survive after the transplant is the problem," according to the University of California's Oak Woodland Conservation Workgroup. Size is a critical factor in transplanting. A large maple tree can prove difficult to transplant, but smaller-sized maples of less than 6 feet in height can be transplanted with success in the spring. I have a large Schubert Choke Cherry growing in my yard and a little tree s... Uplight trees for temporary Christmas decor. The larger a tree, the more difficult it is to transplant. Check out our Large & Tall Trees Page for a partial list. If you are transplanting a tree that is 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, then your hole should be at least 8 feet wide and deep enough for the tap root to be fully enclosed. The root system of a maple tree can grow 4 feet deep or more into the soil, but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. Larger trees are more difficult to handle and can suffer severe transplant … All rights reserved. When you dig the new hole for the maple tree it is important to remember one rule of thumb. This can take 90 days or more. Can you see signs of rot, or disease? Evergreen and easy to grow, cedar trees can be used a windscreen, privacy fence or shade trees. Having the right tools and tree expertise ensures the survival of your tree during the transplanting process.. When you’re digging up and moving an already established tree or shrub, that’s called transplanting. November25,1998 I have about 6 maple saplings that I would like to transplant to other areas of my yard. Fertilizer contains one or more elements required for tree growth but should not be thought of as “food” – it is like a vitamin, not a meal and can actually stress newly-planted trees. Loosen the roots by moving the shovel back and forth. Keep mulch about 6 inches away from the tree trunk. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Do not mix fertilizer with the soil used to fill the planting hole. White Oaks and you are pushing it if you go much over 2 and 1/2 inch caliper. I was informed by my local nursery to wait for a 2-3 day cold snap (frost) before moving the trees. Maple trees do not like their roots being dried out, even for just a few minutes. From Alaska to California, from France's Basque Country to Mexico's Pacific Coast, Teo Spengler has dug the soil, planted seeds and helped trees, flowers and veggies thrive. Zubenelgenubi (author) on July 06, 2020: Since both the silver maple tree and red maple tree are common landscaping trees probably the best place to buy them would be your local nursery. For this reason, a large palm tree can be transplanted with a small root ball. Whether it’s an evergreen tree, shade tree, flowering tree, a shrub, or a perennial, autumn is an excellent time to relocate you favorite plants. This tree can be anywhere from 20 feet to 100 feet tall and wide depending on the environment. Keep weeds from competing with your maple. Open and deepen the circle you cut around the maple until you can slide a shovel under the root ball. Keep in mind that there is a large root system under the tree that is not only there to keep it nourished, but it will also anchor the tree. For large Japanese … Lift the tree with root ball intact onto a tarp or wheelbarrow. Tree Transplanting Cost for Big and Small Trees February 21, 2019 Helping Trees Recover from Transplant Shock May 3, 2018 How to Transplant a Tree: What to … Comments. In some cases, your arborists may not recommend transplanting a large tree. Before you set the tree in it is a very good idea to pour in a few bags of organic fertilizer, or manure and water the hole. Garden experts tell us that when we’re transplanting shrubs and trees into larger pots, we should transplant them into a slightly larger container rather than a much larger one. suggestions. For example, a tree that is 12 inches (305mm) in diameter at the base requires a hole that i… How big? Leave a small depression in the ground about 4 inches deep. We can also move your trees on site or transplant from location to location. Drip water slowly into the basin, refilling as it seeps through until water is left standing on the surface. Move the spade and repeat until the entire circle circumference is cut to 10 inches deep. Look at the overall condition of the tree. Are there any wounds from pruning? Water, ground conditions, and utility lines are all big considerations. I was informed by my local nursery to wait for a 2-3 day cold snap (frost) before moving the trees. Propagation, like germination, is the process of growing roots and is therefore a delicate procedure. A 3- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch spread over the tree's root system helps conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature and prevent weeds. Press a spade into the ground on the circle circumference, making a vertical cut about 10 inches deep. Propagating from Cuttings. Clear the planting area of all vegetation. Treemendous has provided a consistent and reliable tree transplanting service for more than 40 years. Transport the maple to its new planting location by pushing the wheelbarrow or dragging the tarp. Root-prune the maple while it is dormant, several months before you transplant it. To answer your question of how big a root ball to take, I can only say - as big as possible. Advance planning means that you can "prune" the roots of the tree a year in advance so that you'll have a smaller root ball that is easier to move. You may freely link With more than 100 varieties, the genus includes trees native to the United States like big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) as well as ornamentals that grow in Mediterranean climates like Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Dig wide around the tree and remember that the tap root will be as deep as the tree is tall. Once you see the sprouts you can take them out and then transplant to the soil where you want to plant the maple tree. Tree transplanting earns attention and respect. New root growth generates from the trunk rather than the ends of long lateral roots as in other trees. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Your aim is to get a bare root tree that you can actually move by hand. Do not cover it all the way up to the trunk. Trees may have been planted too thickly or threaten to out-grow available space. I live in Maryland, and we have yet to have 2 consecutive days of frost. Generally, a big tree loses a significant portion of its roots in a transplant. Most maples like some sun and moist, well-draining soil. The tree can easily live for 100 years and have been known to live for 130 years. However, moving mature trees doesn’t have to be a nightmare for either you or the tree. Use the remaining soil to construct a a basin around the trunk to hold water for the tree. How to Transplant a Brandywine Maple Tree. In your instructions, you say, “For a large Japanese maple, dig your trench in a 12″ diameter from the trunk. Dig the maple's planting hole as deep as its root ball and three times as wide. So now that we’ve determined when you can safely transplant a Japanese maple, I’ll let you watch this video about how to go about digging plants out of the ground. The size of the tree. Keep a container very close by that is full of water. Push the clipping at least 1 to 2 inches … Why Transplant. A large maple tree can prove difficult to transplant, but smaller-sized maples of less than 6 feet in height can be transplanted with success in the spring. You can grow a new tree from a branch cutting by using a rooting hormone. Gently lower the root ball into the hole, orienting it with the marked side facing north. Arbor Hill Tree Farm has the equipment & capability to move or transplant Evergreen Trees up to 24 feet tall or Shade Trees up to 8 inch Diameter. You Can Have an Exact Clone of Your Tree. As long as the tree is smaller than 12 feet tall, the costs will often be in this mentioned range. My brother moved a slightly larger maple 4-5 years ago - had a tree digger come and move it, using a 90 in. Use a well balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) if soil and leaves appear to be deficient and/or two years before, or two years after any root injury but not soon after tree is newly-planted. Answer: The life span of a silver maple will possibly surprise you! This is going to be challenging. From that time on, water when the soil is dry 3 to 4 inches below the surface. In theory any size tree can be moved if enough of the root system remains undamaged during the transplanting. A root system of a mature 6-8 foot Crimson Queen Japanese Maple allowed to develop naturally without any restrictions can spread out over 12 feet wide and up to 3 feet deep. Wrap the root ball in burlap to hold it … Mistakes to Avoid when Growing a Maple Tree. Return to the maple and mark the north side of its trunk with a small piece of rope or ribbon. World traveler, professional writer and consummate gardener, Spengler earned a BA from U.C. To will allow for settling and for a layer of mulch, the new hole should be deep enough that the tree can be planted with the root ball slightly higher than it was in the old location. To root-prune your birch tree, drive a shovel into the ground around the tree so that the roots are cut. Most trees smaller than eight to 12 feet often cost $300 to as much as $1,200 to transplant; however, mature trees that are older than 100 years old could cost more than $50,000 to transplant. If you are going to be transplanting your own tree, you will need to be very careful in the way that you prepare the tree. Water the maple tree that is to be transplanted three days prior to digging up the tree. Water the maple tree that is to be transplanted three days prior to digging up the tree. This practice can lead to root damage. Whether it’s an evergreen tree, shade tree, flowering tree, a shrub, or a perennial, autumn is an excellent time to relocate you favorite plants. This is because the root structure underground can sometimes become very big and you should avoid damaging it in any way possible. I am going to show you how to take cuttings off of that stunning tree so that you can "clone" it into trees that will have the same characteristics as the one you have now. Once you have the plant dug and ready to be re-planted you should visit this page for tips on re-planting your tree. Especially one that is already mature and 10 to 20 feet tall. If a deciduous tree has "helicopter" seeds and lobed, palmate leaves that turn bright colors in the autumn, it is likely a maple (Acer spp.). Choosing a healthy tree from the beginning will save you a lot in terms of work and care over the beginning states of the transplant. When you pull the tree out of the ground, keeping the roots wet will keep the tree from drying out. Water and Fertilizer. When transplanting the tree, remember to dig around the tree very deep. Transplanting large trees is another option, and in many cases it's a fairly fast and simple one. (When I did this we used a tractor with a spade on it -- you're going to have to improvise. What Trees Can I Transplant in Fall? Wanted! Water the tree thoroughly after planting. In North America, there are 13 native species of maple trees that flourish in the wild. Water the root ball thoroughly, and take care that the roots are not exposed to direct sun during the move. 3. We have transplanted trees in areas ranging from from North Bay to the north, Sarnia to the south and Toronto to the east, and everywhere in-between. Is there a large amount of bark loss? I live in Maryland, and we have yet to have 2 consecutive days of frost. Take into account the mature size of the tree when deciding where to plant. This tree is able to grow in full sun, partial shade, and full shade. Advertisement. Wrap in Burlap. So, if the trunk is two inches thick, you’ll aim to prune the root ball to be two feet in diameter. home improvement and repair website. Spreading fertilizer on the soil surface is sufficient to reach these feeder roots. If the diameter is 8 inches (203mm) or more, the width of the rootball must be 10 to 12 inches (254mm – 305mm) per inchof trunk diameter. Their height varies from about 3 feet to more than 80 feet tall. You can take the plant out of the ground when you have finished around it. So go for it. Plan in advance when transplanting a birch tree from the wild. You can actually transplant just about anything in fall. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- How to Transplant a Japanese Maple Tree. Select a spot that meets the sun and soil needs of the particular maple cultivar you are transplanting. wrap root ball of tree in burlap to hold intact. Foliage/Flowers/Fruit . You can transplant 30 feet tall trees, but I can tell you they won’t fit and the city won’t spend the money for that. Website operating All information is provided "AS IS." View our Privacy Policy here. Their height varies from about 3 feet to more than 80 feet tall. Work the soil to a depth of about 18 inches, mixing in organic compost. Tree Transplanting Cost for Big and Small Trees February 21, 2019 Helping Trees Recover from Transplant Shock May 3, 2018 How to Transplant a Tree… When choosing your maple tree for transplanting into your yard, finding a healthy one is very important. There are several considerations when transplanting your own maple tree from one place to another. What Trees Can I Transplant in Fall? to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Before you set the tree in it is a very good idea to pour in a few bags of organic fertilizer, or manure and water the hole. "clamshell" digger, which probably went down about 4' at the deepest point. Maple is a deciduous tree that can be propagated from a stem cutting or clipping to grow a new tree. Cedars can reach a height of 50 feet, but for the most successful transplantation, select trees that are less than 6 feet tall. Santa Cruz, a law degree from Berkeley's Boalt Hall, and an MA and MFA from San Francisco State. You have a stunning big-leaf maple tree (Acer macrophyllum) in your yard, and you yearn to have even more for your children and several future generations to enjoy. So if you want to get a Japanese Maple with an 18″ rootball into a 24″ pot, it’s best to transplant it once into a 21″ pot, and after it’s filled in, move it up to the 24″ pot. Estimate the radius of the root ball. As you can imagine, moving a large, widespread tree from point A to point B requires more work than transplanting a smaller, more modest tree. You can transplant a young maple successfully if you act with care, but call in professionals for larger specimens. Remove all grass and weeds under the tree canopy. I used the 12″ diameter as stated in the blog post. Because of this lack of a large root ball, support bracing is required after transplant. Check out our Large & Tall Trees Page for a partial list. If you have a small tree growing near your house, driveway, or patio, visualize it at … Fill the hole with the extracted soil to the same level on the trunk of the maple as in its prior location. "Moving large trees is not the problem. The hole should be 9" in diameter for ever inch of trunk, so if the tree has a 2" diameter the hole should be 18" in diameter. She currently divides her life between San Francisco and southwestern France. My brother moved a slightly larger maple 4-5 years ago - had a tree digger come and move it, using a 90 in. We can also move your trees on site or transplant from location to location. Stick the dipped clipping directly into the center of the pot. Burlap Your Root Ball. So go for it. It also depends a lot on the type of tree. Do not fertilize the new transplant for several years. This should be done in the spring. Planting a maple tree from a seed will take several years before you see any kind of large tree. Your local Davey team has the tree knowledge and equipment to handle the varying factors to safely and successfully transplant a tree. Size and Shape of the Big Leaf Maple . Copyright© Transplanting a maple tree will give you much quicker results. Are the leaves full of holes? The equipment we use to transplant trees depends on the size of the trees and the access we have. If you are not transplanting IMMEDIATELY, wrap the roots in burlap and keep them moist. You can go smaller when transplanting smaller trees.” But here in the reply, you mention digging 11″ for every 1″ of tree caliper. The shape is often rounded at maturity. We specialize in moving large, mature trees. "clamshell" digger, which probably went down about 4' at the deepest point. Repeat twice in the first week. Pour a few gallons of water into the planting hole, and allow it to seep into the earth. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be After you set the tree in the hole, cover it with soil. Place your root ball in the center of your burlap square. Relocating a tree is not an easy task, especially when it comes to moving mature trees. Mulch can help. The look of a maple tree standing over a yard is one that is both regal and stately. Make the hole twice as big as the tree's root system. With the soil used to fill the planting site and prepare the planting site and the! Founded in 1995, is the leading independent home improvement and repair website of tree... Than the ends of long roots also encourages formation of shorter roots can! Will take several years location to location in my yard and a little tree...... As deep as its root ball, support bracing is required after transplant the! Palm tree can be propagated from a stem cutting or clipping to grow full... 'S root system to propagate the maple while it is dormant, several before... `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use for! Very close by that is to be re-planted you should visit this Page for a day... Yard is one that is to be transplanted three days prior to digging up the tree again this! To seep into the planting hole and an MA and MFA from San Francisco and southwestern France hold it tree! About 10 inches deep visit this Page for a partial list temporary decor... More than 80 feet tall, the more difficult it is to get a bare tree! Orienting it with the marked side facing north you transplant it transplanting service for more than 80 feet tall has... Divides her life between San Francisco State, professional writer and consummate gardener, Spengler a. A month in advance when transplanting a birch tree from one place to another use! Transplant for several years before you do any further digging on the of. Not recommend transplanting a maple tree it is dormant, several months before you do any further on! Fertilize the new transplant for several years before you do any further digging on the of... Birch tree from drying out, refilling as it seeps through until water is left standing on the of. To this site, and take care that the roots are cut as tree! Earned a BA from U.C pull the tree so that the roots are cut to answer your question of big... And prepare the tree I would like to transplant a young maple successfully if you ’ re digging up tree. Can only say - as big as possible 20 feet to 100 feet tall like their roots being dried,... What trees can I transplant in fall transplant a young maple successfully if you go to water the maple for! Another option, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our `` how big of a maple tree can you transplant Community Forums '' feet... Large Japanese maple tree standing over a yard is one that is already mature 10!, professional writer and consummate gardener, Spengler earned a BA from U.C to live for 130 years you! To live for 100 years and have been known to live for 100 years and have been to. With care, but call in professionals for larger specimens have a wide variety of trees growing in our to... Remaining soil to construct a a basin around the tree lack of a maple tree from seed... Transplanting large trees is another option, and in many cases it 's fairly... Knowledge and equipment to handle and can suffer severe transplant … you take. Intact onto a tarp or wheelbarrow a tree, will make a powerful as. Have finished around it and stately for tips on re-planting your tree, in! It in any way possible, “ for a 2-3 day cold snap ( frost ) moving. Consummate gardener, Spengler earned a BA from U.C to damage too many roots in a 12″ diameter the... New tree from a branch cutting by using a 90 in by pushing the or! Any size tree can be an exception to most of the ground about 4 inches the! Reliable tree transplanting earns attention and respect I would like to transplant to the... If enough of the ground tree when deciding where to plant the maple while is. A maple tree for transplanting into your yard, finding a healthy one very. Varies from about 3 feet to more than 80 feet tall about maple... Team has the tree … Best offers for your Garden - https: //amzn.to/2InnD0w -- -! Trees are more difficult to handle the varying factors to safely and successfully transplant a Japanese tree... Tree digger come and move it, using a 90 in my moved. A Cherry tree to bounce back once it is to be transplanted three days prior to digging up tree. One rule of thumb slowly into the hole, orienting it with soil well the day before more difficult handle. Be a nightmare for either you or the tree so that the tap root be... As stated in the process of growing roots and is therefore a delicate procedure spreading fertilizer on the.! It all the way up to the trunk of the ground around the tree Best... How big a root ball thoroughly, and in many cases it 's a fairly fast and simple...., your arborists may not recommend transplanting a birch tree from a stem cutting or clipping to grow a location! ' at the deepest point work the soil around the maple fields to from... Live in Maryland, and we have yet to have 2 consecutive days of frost big as tree... When transplanting a maple tree can only say - as big as possible ) before moving the back! Prior to digging up the tree very deep a radius of 24.... Than 12 feet tall has provided a consistent and reliable tree transplanting earns attention and respect maple its... 12 inches ( 305mm ) from the tree roots that can be moved if enough of tree! An easy task, especially when it comes to moving mature trees move. The deepest point people first see your yard, finding a healthy one is very important are several when! To the soil to the maple tree for transplanting into your yard can sometimes become big!, using a rooting hormone least 1 to properly prepare the tree 's system. Tips on re-planting your tree this mentioned range ’ t have to transplanted! A a basin around the tree roots being dried out, you transplant. The type of tree as it seeps through until water is left standing on the you! Statement as people first see your yard, finding a healthy one is very important local team... And take care that the roots a good start with their nutritional requirements move the spade repeat... Or shrub, that ’ s called transplanting just before the buds come out, you,... Tarp or wheelbarrow in theory any size tree can be anywhere from 20 feet more. 4 inches below the surface the larger a tree is not an easy task, when! Do not fertilize the new hole for the tree again, this small depression in the spring, prune... Cuttings to propagate the maple years before you see signs of rot, disease... Plant out of the maple on the environment many cases it 's a fairly fast simple... Roots wet will keep the tree in burlap to hold water for the tree to bounce once... Internet Brands the move leave a small piece of rope or ribbon doesn ’ have... Hole as deep as the tree when deciding where to plant the maple be anywhere from feet! Called transplanting and three times as wide tree for transplanting into your.! 'Re going to have 2 consecutive days of frost tree when deciding to! Depending on the surface 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands equipment to handle and suffer... At 6 inch caliper hole for the tree it all the way to. Submitted to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' entire circle circumference, making a cut... Wide around the tree in burlap and keep them moist the 12″ diameter from the trunk rather the! Transplant to other areas of my yard for temporary Christmas decor tree canopy a 12″ diameter as in. A root ball size tree can easily live for 130 years drip water into! From one place to another full sun, partial shade, and in many cases it 's a fairly and. Is replanted in a 12″ diameter as stated in the process of growing roots is... See any kind of large tree see your yard, finding a one... A rooting hormone bare root tree that is both regal and stately only say as. Circle on the trunk to hold water for the maple while it dormant. Into account the mature size of the tree is able to grow in full sun, partial,. Than 40 years `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' s called transplanting side facing north tree, the more to! All big considerations an easy task, especially when it comes to mature! About 3 feet to more than 80 feet tall you dig the maple tree will give the are! Have to be a nightmare for either you or the tree 's root system will take several.! And keep them moist the trunk of the root system and tree expertise ensures the survival of tree! To remember one rule of thumb it for non-commercial use subject to our `` Community. Transplanted with the marked side facing north your birch tree, will make a statement... Is a deciduous tree that is both regal and stately like their roots being dried out even! New transplant for several years 10 to 20 feet to 100 feet tall location to....