Moving a tree can seem like a daunting task. Don’t worry though, it’s much simpler than you think! With the right equipment and the proper technique, you can have your tree safely and easily moved in no time. We’re here to show you the best way to move a tree safely and easily, so that you don’t have to stress about it. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- 1. Understanding the Basics of Moving a Tree Safely and Easily
- 2. Gather the Necessary Equipment for Transporting the Tree
- 3. Preparing the Tree for Moving
- 4. Digging Up the Tree and Preparing the Root Ball
- 5. Transplanting the Tree to Its Destination
- 6. Ensuring the Tree Is Established in Its New Home
- 7. Troubleshooting Potential Problems with Moving Trees
- Q&A
1. Understanding the Basics of Moving a Tree Safely and Easily
Moving a tree can be a challenging and time-consuming task, but it doesn’t have to be! Understanding the basics of how to move a tree safely and easily is the key to completing the job quickly and safely. Here are some tips for making sure your tree moves quickly and safely while avoiding any unnecessary damage:
- Choose the Right Equipment: Make sure you have the right tools and equipment for the job. This includes a wheelbarrow, shovel, stakes, rope, and gloves. Make sure all of your equipment is up for the job.
- Plan Ahead: Establish an accessible route for moving the tree from point A to point B. If it is possible, try to minimize corner turns, steps, etc. as these may cause the tree to get stuck or cause unnecessary damage.
- Secure the Tree: Secure the tree in place with stakes and rope prior to moving. This will reduce the risk of it falling and potentially causing damage.
Moving a tree safely and easily takes significant planning and preparation. Thankfully, with the right tools, equipment, and knowledge, you can ensure the job is done quickly and without causing any unnecessary damage. Before moving a tree, be sure to consult local by-laws and regulations to ensure the job can be done without any legal ramifications.
2. Gather the Necessary Equipment for Transporting the Tree
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Gather Your Supplies
It’s time to gather the items you will need to safely move your tree. To complete the job properly, you’ll need the following items:
- Soil bags or containers
- Gloves
- Wheelbarrow or tarp
- Stakes
- Rope or twine
- Tree wrap
- Shovel
These are the essential pieces of equipment you will need in order to transport your tree safely and easily. If you are moving the tree a long distance, you’ll also likely need a transporting vehicle such as a pick-up truck or trailer. Make sure you have all the items listed above before beginning your tree transportation project.
Organize Your Equipment
Once you have gathered the necessary equipment, you’ll need to organize it so that you can access it easily. Place all your supplies in a nearby area so that you can quickly grab whatever you need to transport your tree. This will help you save time and make the process much more efficient. It’s also a good idea to know exactly where you’ll be transporting the tree before you begin. Also make sure that you have a plan for how you will transport the tree. This will help ensure that you get the job done quickly and safely.
3. Preparing the Tree for Moving
Unpacking a tree and moving it to a different site can be incredibly tricky, especially for inexperienced individuals. It is not recommended to do it yourself as typically there is a high risk of the tree being damaged and even causing injury. Here are a few key steps to prepare your tree before it is moved.
- Check its health: If the tree is diseased, weak or in poor condition, it is not a good idea to move it. Instead, consider calling an arborist who may be able to help you restore and maintain the health of your tree.
- Measure your tree: You’ll need to know the size of the tree before transporting it, since the larger the tree, the more difficult it will be to move.
- Brace the tree: It is important to provide support and stability to your tree before moving it. You can do this by installing stakes into the ground around the tree.
Root Stimulation
Before your tree is removed from its current location, it is important to stimulate the roots. This can help prepare the tree for the upcoming move and will also reduce the amount of soil that is lost when the tree is dug up.
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The roots may also need to be pruned before moving to ensure the tree can be removed easily and with minimal disruption to its surrounding area. Finally, you need to carefully dig around the tree in order to include as much of the root ball as possible when it is removed.
4. Digging Up the Tree and Preparing the Root Ball
Throughout the process of moving a tree, the health of the roots is of utmost importance. To prepare a healthy root ball for the move, we’ve provided you with steps that will help to ensure your tree is successful in its new home.
Steps for Digging Up and Preparing the Root Ball
- Start by marking the zone around the tree roots that will need to be removed. A typical root ball size is 2-3 feet in diameter and one foot deep.
- Wear protective clothing, such as work gloves and a face mask.
- Next, get your tools ready. A shovel, a root saw, a hand spade, and a root rake are your best options. Allowing water penetration into the root ball is key, so try to avoid using power saws or gas-powered devices.
- Dig up the tree, carefully working around the roots. For optimal results, make sure to dig on the outside of the root zone.
- Once you’ve removed a large part of the root zone, use your hand spade to return any dirt that’s accidentally loosened.
- You can now carefully saw cuts between the roots to ensure that the root ball remains intact for the move.
- If the root zone is small, you can also use your root saw to make clean, even cuts.
- When the tree is fully exposed, carefully remove as much of the dirt as possible. Use your root rake to make sure you have removed all of the dirt from the roots.
- Thoroughly water the root zone for one final time before you start to wrap the root ball.
Wrapping the tree’s root ball will protect the roots from damage and minimize water loss during the move. You can use a burlap sack, damp newspapers, a sturdy plastic sheet, commercial tree wrap, or a root ball wrapping fabric. Make sure to use something that will securely hold the root ball in place during the move.
Once the root ball is securely wrapped, use a shovel or a bungee cord to further secure the root ball into the sack or sheet. Now you’re ready for the big move!
5. Transplanting the Tree to Its Destination
Once the tree is safely taken out of the ground, it’s time to get it to its destination:
- Pack the tree’s root ball carefully. Secure the root ball with rope or burlap to avoid any further damage or breakage. Don’t forget to leave enough room for the root ball to expand when it’s watered after being moved.
- Put the tree in a sturdy box. Use a box that is large enough that the root ball will fit securely inside, as this can help protect it further from its travels.
- Load the box onto the mode of transportation. Ensure the tree finds a safe and secure position in the car, trailer, or truck bed. Make sure it’s out of the way of any direct sun exposure or wind, and secure it with heavy objects to keep it from shifting during transport.
Additional Tips:
- Bring a wheelbarrow or dolly to make transporting the tree much easier.
- Cover the root ball with a dark piece of tarp during travel.
- Properly water the tree about an hour prior to planting at the new destination.
Now that the tree is safely packed up and ready to go, it’s time for the final leg of the journey. If possible, keep the tree shaded from the sun and warm during the transportation. If any of the tree parts were removed during the digging process, be sure to keep them in order as well, so they can be transplanted correctly upon arrival.
Once the tree arrives at its new destination, it’s ready to be planted! Follow the steps outlined in our next post guide to transplant your newly-moved tree correctly for optimal results.
6. Ensuring the Tree Is Established in Its New Home
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1. Water Regularly
Once your tree is in its new home, regular watering is the key to keeping it healthy and helping it establish. Water the tree 1-2 times a week for the first few months and fertilise every 6 weeks with some compost or liquid fertiliser to help it become established. Be sure to check the soil before watering to ensure it is not already wet. If it is, wait a bit before adding more water.
2. Support the Trunk and Branches
To help the tree become established and ensure its growth is stable, it is important to provide strong structural support. A tree stake can be used to keep the tree upright and reduce any swaying of the trunk or branches. You can also use guy wires and other supporting structures if needed. For larger trees, it is essential to use adequate bracing. These all help to protect the roots of the tree and avoid damage if there is strong wind or rain.
3. Mulch Around the Roots
Mulch is essential for helping the roots of your tree establish in its new soil. A mulch should be spread around the base of the trunk, covering a diameter of 3-4 feet and approximately 2-3 inches deep. This will provide protection for the roots and help keep the tree hydrated and insulated. Only use organic mulch and never cover the trunk or branches with it as this can cause rot and decay.
7. Troubleshooting Potential Problems with Moving Trees
Moving trees is an exciting endeavor that can be beneficial to homeowners and landscapers, but there are potential problems that can arise. Here are some tips on how to troubleshoot potential problems when moving trees.
Plant Stress
Transportation and replanting of trees can cause damage to the roots system and trunk. This can inhibit growth of the tree and even cause the it to die. You need to do all you can to reduce the amount of stress the tree goes through during the moving process. Here are some tips:
- Cover the tree completely with cloth, so the branches and trunk are protected while traveling.
- Avoid the tree from being left in the sun for long periods of time while exposed.
- Ensure the tree is properly watered before moving, and apply water as it needs throughout the transportation process.
Root Ball Size
The success of a moved tree may rest within the size of its root ball. To get the full benefit of transplanting, you want the root ball to be large enough to capture enough of the root system. It can be difficult to predict the size of the root ball. Depending on the condition of the soil and the type of tree, it will likely vary. Generally, it’s recommended to make the root ball 130 to 200 cm3 (cubic centimeter) for every centimeter of tree trunk diameter.
It’s important to understand the potential problems that can come with moving trees. By doing the necessary measurements and taking the necessary precautions, the process can go much smoother and have greater success rates.
Q&A
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Q: How big of a tree can I move safely and easily?
A: Trees that are no taller than 5 feet can relatively easily be transplanted by one person. As the tree gets taller, you may require the help of a few extra people or the use of a wheelbarrow or small wagon.
Q: Do I need any special tools or equipment to move a tree?
A: Yes, there are a few key tools you will need to safely move a tree. First, you will need a shovel to gently loosen the soil and a sharp knife or saw to trim the roots. You will also likely need something to transport the tree in, like a wheelbarrow, small wagon, or even a large tarp or carpet.
Q: How long can I keep a transplanted tree in a container?
A: You can keep a transplanted tree in a container for up to a year as long as you regularly water it and fertilize it appropriately. However, beyond a year, you should consider transplanting the tree into the ground as it will begin to outgrow its container.
Q: Can I move a tree in the winter?
A: It is generally not recommended to move a tree in the winter as the cold weather can be hard on the tree. The best time to move a tree is during late fall or early spring when temperatures are warmer and the tree is in its dormant period.
Moving a tree can seem like an overwhelming task that requires a lot of grunt work, but with these tips in mind, you can confidently and safely move a tree to its new home. That said, no matter what size job you take on, make sure to always be safe and consult a professional if you have any major concerns. Happy moving!