Transplanting a LARGE Redbud

K, it's like 15 ft tall and I NEED to move it. How can I do it?
I don't wanna kill it, I want it in our yard, we cant enjoy it where it's at now.
Thanks guys!!!

crimsontsavo, I wouldn't recommend moving it, or if it needs to be moved i would just start over and plant another tree. Here is a link that explains the effects of transplant shock and how many years it takes to get established again. You read this and you'll never buy or plant a larger caliber tree again. I planted a few 3-4 caliber trees and thought they were dying, the leaves get very sparse and are sticks before the season is through. but it seems to be transplant shock. it tells that a 4" tree takes 5 years to fully recuperate and a 10" tree thirteen years. another website explained how a smaller tree will actually be the same size in 13 years as the larger tree that was balled and burlapped.
http://www.clemson.edu/extfor/publications/forlf17/index.htm

:-O my lord, i can only imagine how much i stunted those huge conifers i transplanted for my aunt, hahahaha.
Thanks for your help.

unfortunately i had to learn the hard way!lol! however it does make it easier on the budget not buying those $300 trees.

lol, yup.

I've moved large redbuds before, and it is difficult, but possible. They develop a strong taproot by that size, which you'll have to cut. The other roots are usually shallow. The best way would be to use a tree-spade, but if you want to try to dig it out, do it while it's dormant, and cut back the top branches by up to half (or remove half of them). Redbuds are quick to grow, so if you keep it moist this spring, it might look good by fall. You should also drench it with that transplant-shock mix you can get anywhere garden supplies are sold. Good luck.

This is good to know, I just planted a red bud last fall that was about 2' high didn't use the shock mix but had some that I would have used if I had known this but I have another tree to do this spring so I'll use it for sure! It's in a pot still. Should I put some shock mix on the one that I planted last fall this spring would that help him any I know nothing about planting trees :)

So are you going to try and move yours crimsontsavo or just let it live where it's at :)

Im not sure lol. I'd hate to kill it. Ive moved big trees before, but this ones so nice it scares me lol.
Ill prolly end up moving it. lol

I sure wish you luck and if you have experience moving trees before maybe that experience will help you do this red bud right, you go for it, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and the red bud :)

LeBug: It wouldn't hurt to put some shock mix on the transplanted tree this spring, but if it did OK last summer, I think it'll be good. It does help on those large transplants, as does that peculiar product 'SUPERthrive'.

Well I moved it in the fall so not really sure how it's doing yet until it buds out but I'll sure do that and I do have some messenger I can put that on there, I'm always in a rush when I'm planting and forget I have the shock mix :) I'll have to remember that this year when I do the other ones!

Thanks so much!

This message was edited Mar 9, 2008 5:55 PM

If just moved last fall, it would benefit from a treatment this spring, as soon as the ground is soft in your area (probably this week with the predicted warmup). The roots start to grow well before the tree leafs out, so I'd go ahead and do it.

LOL I ground is soo wet we have water standing everywhere right now, it's been on of those winters! I bought feeder steaks to put in for it too. On a drier day I'll do that, thanks, I never would have thought to do it now.

Lea

K- im getting hiped up now. Oooohhhhhhhh the weather weve been having though, it may not be dormant. It'll kill me to wait til next year hahhaa.

Mine is still dormant or at least I think it is the both of them are there's no sign of life yet, maybe HoosierGreen will come back on and let us know.

Well i think this time of year or real close is when the redbuds bloom. I can't remember if it's redbuds or dogwoods first. especially tn and ok, they are usually a week or so ahead of us.

Ill wait til next year to move her. Gotta see her show, LOL.

Redbuds bloom ahead of dogwood, but can overlap their schedules.

Crimsontsavo: If you do want to wait until this fall or next year to move the tree, it would really help the process if you root pruned it this spring, summer, and fall. Dig straight down at least the depth of a spade, all around the tree at the distance you think you'll be digging up the tree this fall or next spring (either time is good, but I'd go for late fall). You will be cutting the longer roots and stimulating the tree to make new roots, forming a denser root ball. I've even dug out much deeper, up to a couple of feet, like digging a moat around the tree. This really will help when you eventually move the tree. After digging out, just put back the topsoil in the trench. In the middle of the summer, and once in the fall (unless you're moving it in the fall), be sure to repeat this. The tree will have many, many more roots to help it survive the move when it comes. Nurseries do this to field-grown trees. That's why you see these balled-and-burlapped trees for sale that seem to have such small root balls. The roots are very dense compared to a tree that has not been root pruned. If you ever tried to move a tree from the wild, you will see that the roots are far-ranging, and even smaller trees have poor survival rates.

Tada! I will do that Hoosier, give her as many chances for survial as possible, lol. Tankies! :-)