So, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve got to waste the better part of a day undoing a mess that the previous owners of my house created.
Check me on this: if you were going to plant a beautiful maple tree, where wouldn’t you plant it? If you answered “Right up against the front stoop, Fenris!” then we’re on the same page. Unfortunately, the walking proof that self-made men demonstrate the horror of unskilled labor didn’t agree with us.
So, I’ve got a 8 foot or so maple tree (about 1, maybe 1 1/4 inch around the thickest part of the trunk) that has to be dug up and transplanted. I’ve never done this before and if it wasn’t such a great looking tree, I’d say “Screw it” and get the axe.
Any suggestions on how to do this? How deep do I dig? How deep should the new hole be? Do I pack the dirt tight or loose, etc.
Anyone with any experience able to give some advice?
if you wish to dig this tree for transplantation, have lots of fun. Maple trees do not have tap roots, so you don’t have to go too deep. However, maples tend to have 3 to 5 major roots extending outward at or below ground level. You must get the better part of these roots. This means a very wide scoop. When all is said and done, you’ll probably dig up something about 4 feet in diameter and about 1-2 feet deep, depending on the size of the tree. In general, the diameter of the root you should dig up should be no less than 2/3 the diameter of the tree itself. If it’s a silver maple or other type of maple that grows upwards (as opposed to branches that grow out), dig a bit wider than 2/3). Of course, this depends on the shape/bend/angle or the roots, being so close to some sourt of foundation/slab. Test the limits of the digging by following the roots out.
This root ball will weigh about 8 million pounds.
The new hole should be wider and a bit deeper. Pack the dirt in the bottom. Add loose soil. Add tree. fill hole with loos soil. Water generously. Call chiropracter and/or masseuse for back pain from moving tree.
If you plan on moving the tree now, make sure you get lots of roots and have lots of dirt around them. The tree will probably go into shock when transplanted and lose its leaves. They may grow back this season (it’s still a bit early), maybe not. The best time to transplant is probably late fall or early spring (not sure about this).
In all, I suggest you hack the sucker down and visit a local nursury. There you can buy an 8 foot maple and have them come out with a planter and place it for you.
Hmmm…I don’t have a fireplace, but… “green” wood is used for smoking meats, right?
<Homer Simpson voice>
MMmmm[sub]mmmm[/sub]mmmm[sup]mmmm[/sup]mmmMMm!
Maple-smoked spare-ribs for Memorial Day.
::drool::
</Homer Simpson voice>
BTW: Rasta, given where it’s located, a machine couldn’t be used without taking out a chunk of my front patio and it’d cost a ton to have someone else dig it up, so…it dies.
I have maple trees sprouting everywhere and have tried to transplant several. I think it is probable the tree just sprouted there and was not planted. Anyway, I’ll tell you my experience with maple trees.
I move them when they are much smaller, maybe 3’ tall at the most. With a shovel I scoop out a ball about 20" diameter with most of the roots although you have one long one going down which comes out also.
I set it aside and fill the old hole and here is what amazes me: in ten minutes, before you would think the sucker had time to realize it, all the leaves go limp and the tree appears dead. It is just amazing how fast it will do it.
Then I dig a hole and plant it. very often it will die but a couple have lived to tell the story. Doing in very hot weather is a bad idea. Late fall or early spring are the best times.
Anyway. I think the size of the ball you need to move with that tree is bigger than you can comfortably do yourself by hand… unless you are Superman with a green thumb.
But I went out and got a new one and I’ll be planting it tomorrow, so all is well.
Sailor: normally I’d agree with you, but…trust me. I’ve seen the way the previous owners did things. They planted this right where they did because it would have taken 5 extra steps to plant it someplace reasonable. Their motto? Never do something full-assed when half-assed will do better.
Fenris (not looking forward to planting the new tree)
Is your new tree also a maple? I don’t know if you live in a suburban-type area, but maples are not good street trees. They resent the pollution from the traffic, and if they are too close to the driveway or sidewalk, they can’t spread out those close-to-the-surface roots.
(…speaking as the owner of an old house, on a well-travelled suburban street, whose original owners lined the driveway with sugar maples…we do have a nice male ginko in the back, though…)
The new tree is a maple as well (a “Autumn something(fire? blaze?) Maple” but I live in a suburban tending towards rural area and I’m planting it near the middle of the yard so it’ll have lots of room to grow.