Relocating a tree to a more suitable environment is possible, but it requires special care to reduce the impact on the tree. For well-established trees planted in the same place for more than three years, this requires a three-year root pruning process. Smaller trees can be moved with a tree shovel, while larger trees may require digging, wrapping, or wrapping the root ball and then transporting it by truck. Some trees can even be moved with cranes.
It is easier to relocate young trees than more established ones, which are more difficult to move, especially if they have been in one place for more than five years. The best time of year to move a tree is when the weather is not too hot or cold. Palm trees are an exception; because of how their roots grow, it is possible to dig closer to the trunk regardless of the height of the tree. The process of transplanting a tree begins several months before relocating it with root pruning.
This encourages new roots to appear near the tree, within the area of the root ball that will travel with the tree. After digging everything around the circumference of the tree, start digging under the tree to cut off the roots that lie below. If you are considering moving a tree of any size, it is best to work with a company that specializes in this process. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the soil above the root ball to help retain moisture and prevent cold damage if the tree doesn't move until after winter.
Continuing proper care after the move is vital to its survival, as a tree can have a transition period of three to five years or more as it settles into its new home.
