How to Dig Up a HUGE Live Oak Tree and replant...Is it possible?

Question

I have found two people who are willing to give me some live oak trees for my yard if I can dig them up. One is a100-gallon container size tree and the other is a 20 foot tree. Is it even possible to dig up trees of this size? If so...HOW??? Any suggestions or help??? I know that one of the trees has been in the ground for 4 years...

Thank you!!!

Answer 1

If the tree is 20 feet tall you are not going to be able to replant it. It will probably die if you even try to attempt it. The size of the rootball alone that you'd have to dig up would be several tons of dirt.

Answer 2

I know it is a very commendable idea, but the root ball of these trees will be a considerable weight and need a lot care and effort to move them.

Don't even attempt the bigger tree, but if the smaller one is only four or so years old it should be possible to attempt to move it.

Have a look at the spread of the branches if they only spread out laterally to about a metre or slightly more than it is a possible move. Anything above this will be a greater weight and will lessen the chances of the trees survival.

Measure a circle around the base of the tree on the ground that is roughly the same spread as the branches above. Then dig a trench down around the outside of this circle. Once you have dug down about a foot or slightly more you should be able to get in the trench and start digging down at an angle under the tree.

Basically what you are trying to achieve is the movement of as much of the root system as possible, particularly the fine surface roots that do most of the work. If you break any roots in the process make sure that you cut the break off as cleanly as possible to help avoid pathogen attack.

Next you'll need to lift of rock the root ball onto a large tarpaulin or similar to wrap the root ball for moving. This will then need lifting into the receiving hole, forking in around it with some bonemeal, firming down with your boot and staking at an angle into the prevailing wind until it establishes.

It's a mammoth undertaking best down by some very burly persons that can dig and lift huge amounts of tree and soil, preferably trained arborists with tree transplanting experience.

To be honest Sharpie it would be much easier to buy another one and give a home than move an established tree.

By all means give it a try, but don't be too sad if the tree fails at least you'll have given it a go.

Sorry I couldn't be more positive and I hope you work out a solution. Planting a tree is always a good thing if chosen carefully.

Answer 3

it is definitely possible to dig it up and replant it even if the three is up to 10 inches wide on the trunk. the three's that your friend has given you are about 4 inches wide, which is the perfect size to replant somewhere else. i'll tell you the steps but it would be better if you let a professional do it for you, or you might kill the three. first you have to dig around the three, a good three feet all around the trunk, once you start digging in, you should dig in about 4 feet deep, cut all the roots the three has expanded into the ground expept for one, preferably one that is big, leave that one attached. dig under the three, do not disturb the dirt that hold the roots, that is why you should dig in about four feet deep so you end up with 3 feet of dirt attached to the roots. at this point the tree is all unattached from the ground, except for the root that you left uncut and is still attached to the three and ground. tie the three down to the ground so the wind does not move it and breaks the root, leave it there to cure for 21 days at least... the three will adjust to living with less water, it will only live with the little water the left over root feeds it. when you are ready to transplant it, cut the root out and wrap the dirt tight where when you move it, the roots wont be disturbed, profesionals use a material called burlap, it is a rope like tarp that is strong, but when planted along with the tree is gets rotten with the water and desintegrates. you hole should be about 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep, plant the three cover it with mulch and water it everyday (if you are in texas) or everyother day if you are somewhere damp for about 3 months. then change to to 3 times weekly until the first year is up. after one year the three will extend its new roots into the ground and will only need watering once weekly until it reaches adulthood. this is only if the three's trunk is 4 inches wide if it is wider, add a foot per inch to the rootball. if you live in texas, look up mexia texas and three farms and you will find someone who will do it for you. they transplant threes up 10 to 12 inches wide on the trunk, i have seen it.

Answer 4

As mentioned above, this is done with a tree spade, go here for detailed information on the equipment, costs, procedure, etc. :

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/gardening/1273551.html

There are additional expenses beyond just moving the trees; filling the holes you leave, the labor of prepping the tree after transplanting, etc. Talk to a Licensed and Qualified tree company that has an arborist (tree doctor) on call or on staff. I think you'll be surprised at how reasonable the cost can be.

Good Luck, and I hope you get that 20 footer!

Answer 5

well depending on the caliper of the tree you will have to have a machine to dig it if you try to dig it by hand it can be done i have done it you will never lift it out of the hole and you could cut the tap root to short and kill it an oak has very hard roots you will need a sharp digging spade a 20 foot tree would have to have a machine there is no other way unless you wont to take a chance on killing it

Answer 6

dig up the trees and remove all the long roots with a chain saw ,than cut almost all the branches ,leaving one sticking up and one sticking side ways ,this is the same way how one makes bonzais only much bigger
dig a hole 2 meters cubed and put in the tree fill the hole up with water and soil together so that the tree ends up standing in mud keep it straight with some poles suporting it on the sides and let the hole get dry slowly ´

i have transplanted very large trees this way ,
you may need a caterpiller or tractor to move it from one place to the other,

Answer 7

have to use a tecknique called trenching were the roots are cut in sections 1st year then second this gives a chance for the fiberous roots to develop ready for transplanting root ball will have to tited with hessian and chains replanting only use the best top soil and leaf mold or peat is the tree protected check for tpo from the local council

Answer 8

Thats gonna be really difficult to do, by now the roots will have spanned and grown in all directions, and moving these types of trees can Shock them quite badly often killing them. Consult a tree surgeon for the best advice, but if i were you, id buy a sapling and start from scratch. good luck.

Answer 9

It is possible but you gain nothing as the tree won't recover for years and you would have a better tree in the time by planting something smaller

Answer 10

and a lot would depend on your definition of a yard. Normally in UK.thats an enclosed small area at the back of terraced houses.
Only mentioning it because if such trees are planted too close to property or paved paths,they will wreak havoc with their roots