How to Move a Tree

When I designed my enclosed boxwood room, it was obvious that certain trees were in the way and needed to be removed.  These included two lovely Chinese Elms that I had planted two years ago on either side of the front door of the building I call the Summer House.  You may be wondering how one goes about moving such a large tree.  Well, with a little manpower and the right equipment, it really isn’t so difficult.  George Bridge of Acorn Farm, who provided the wonderful boxwood explained how it’s done.

To determine where to start digging, George allows ten-inches for every inch of tree trunk diameter.  So if the diameter of the tree is eight inches, for example, he will measure a circle eighty inches across.  George’s men then begin digging around the tree using shovels and saws to cut through the lateral roots.  The lateral roots are what radiate out horizontally, helping to stabilize the tree.  Once these are severed cleanly, a small backhoe is brought in to speed up the process.  As the root ball takes shape, the workers begin wrapping the ball with burlap and securing it with twine.  The burlap helps to keep the soil intact around the roots.  As the digging continues, the ball is tapered in and wrapped some more.

Eventually, when the digging and wrapping is complete, another machine called a Hi-Lo is enlisted.  It is equipped with big straps and a chain that is secured around the root ball.  The Hi-Lo then hoists the tree up and out of the hole and moves it to another location.  The Chinese Elms were relocated to the side of the Summer House, where I think they will adjust nicely.      

Chinese Elms in the process of being dug for relocation


Small backhoe at work

In the process of wrapping the root ball with burlap

The Hi-Lo lifting out the elm

Placing the elm in its newest and hopefully, final home

Comments

[deezie]

I never knew it was possible to move such a large tree, I have a tree I want to move, now I know I can do it. Thanks Martha !!!
dee lotz

[Amy Mowbray]

OH MY GOSH MARTHA! I never knew that you could move such a large tree. A few weeks ago we had a difficult time moving a 5 year old dwarf Japanese Maple. We used a strap and my husbands SUV. It was scary! Thanks for sharing your pictures.

[michael natiello]

I'm planning on transplanting some mountain laurel from my property in Garrison into the terraced garden in front of the cottage--this posting was very helpful in visualizing the various steps of the process. thank you! michael natiello.

[Alcea Alba]

Thank you for posting this very interesting entry on how to move mature trees. Please explain why you call this your "Summer House". Looking forward to seeing your new boxwood room once it is installed.

[Joy]

Wow, that is really amazing. I never really knew that you could transplant a tree that large!

[Dawn]

Wow, that is amazing, great shots to document the progress.

[Mrs. Hamidah from Malaysia]

Thank you Martha for sharing the idea and knowledge. Every tree has its own spirit as it grow bigger and taller. As it functions scientifically for the environment, it also pray for the people to be peaceful and healthy. If we care to conserve the greenery we will get those benefit. But, if we cut down the trees without control we will be cursed by them, by getting flood, global warming, unbalanced ecosystems, climate etc. So that's one of intelligent steps to ensure our nature is conserved for our future. Thank's Martha!

Loves,
Hamidah

[Jon Mondrik]

Martha,
It is a pleasure to see how large trees can be saved. I hope your herculean task inspires others to do the same, no matter what the scale of the job may be.
I think it's time to share your plans for the boxwood room, don't you? May we have a sneak peek? I am eager to see how you have designed the layout. Is it neoclassical, with a center focus and an architectural style entrance? Or will it be more informal? I know one thing for sure. . . what ever it may be, your horticultural conception will be stunning. I wouldn't expect any less.
Take care,
Jon

[Callie]

I recently moved a Japanese maple that the previous homeowners planted in a less than ideal location. In its new location, the tree leaves started to brown instead of turn red like normal in the fall. I'm thinking this is just transplant shock and the tree should recover nicely in the spring. Has anyone had experience transplanting a small tree and seeing it go through shock?

Thanks,
Callie
Xylem and Phloem

[dutch206]

I would never have the guts to try a project this complex. You must have nerves of steel!

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a facinating blog. It is so neat to see the step by step operation of moving large trees. It's almost like being there. If people really want to learn something new everyday, all they need to do is read your very informative blogs. Thanks again, Martha. Jan

[chantal]

my mom (who had a stroke last year) and myself look at your show daily, we are sorry of your loss of your mom. ( I know what it would be like). Martha, I don't know if you will get this in your notes, but I really believe you are the future in saving this planet. I do have questions about how to clean your bee hives and your hens homes.

[L. J. Leslie-Webb]

Dear Martha,
Boy are you getting good with that camera.
Looking forward to seeing photos of how you are dressing your home on the inside and the outside.

Thanks,
L. J.

[TeenSleuth]

When my parents moved from the farm they'd lived on for years to a home in town, they had two large oak trees from the property transplanted to their new yard. I remember watching the process--it's fascinating! We call them our "Oglethorpe trees" after the county our farm is in. They are very special features of the property, as you can imagine.

[Sandra]

Greetings from Buenos Aires!
The pictures are wonderful, Martha! I love the "Cyclamen carpet in the garden"
All the very best,
Sandra

[J Lichtig]

Hi,

I plan to move my crepe myrtle in the Spring. Can you tell me how?

Enjoy your Internet site.

Thanks, Judy
jdl3800@aol.com