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How to move a tree without killing it

annmarieberrettau7mg_IJannmarieberrettau7mg_IJ Posts: 3
edited June 2023 in Problem solving

Hi All  - I am moving house soon and really want to take this tree to my new home. I planted the tree with my pets ashes  :'(

What would be the best way of moving the tree without killing it?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered  :)


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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I really think it is too big to move, certainly at this time of year in full leaf. In winter without all the leaves you would have a chance if you had a really big root ball  with it, and then watered it on a very regular basis after transplanting. How old is the tree, how long has it been in that space?
  • annmarieberrettau7mg_IJannmarieberrettau7mg_IJ Posts: 3
    It's been in this space for approx 3 years, I'm moving in approx  6 - 8 weeks I really don't want to leave it behind :(
    my pet dog snowy ashes was planted with the tree. I had snowy for over 10 years.
     
    When I planted the tree I didn't think then that I would move from my current house.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    How would you feel if you moved the tree and it died? Leave the tree where it is and Snowy will be undisturbed, resting in a place he knew as home. Take with you the photo and memories of a happy life together.
    Rutland, England
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    The rootball is likely to be at the size of the width of the canopy, so you would need to dig a very large hole.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I would leave it for the new people to enjoy. I think if the tree died which is most likely, you will be  more upset than leaving it.  The alternative is to ask the new people if you could leave it until winter and then move it,but that would be up to them.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    And unfortunately looks like a willow which wouldn't fare well if it got dry on transit. Totally understand the difficulty in leaving it behind but it's a better memorial for the doggo to be left undisturbed especially when it looks so healthy. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’m sorry to say that if would he impossible to move that tree without the use of highly specialised large equipment and a team of experienced workers. It would cost a great deal of money to do that. 

    Also there’s no way that it should be done at this time of year … and even if done in the autumn/winter the root-ball should have been prepared for the move by special root pruning techniques … it could probably be done by a firm that specialised in moving large shrubs and trees but they would charge a great deal of money indeed and there would be no guarantee that the tree would survive. 

    As has been said another factor mitigating against a successful move is that it looks like a willow
    which really would suffer from any drying of the roots. 

    On the positive side is, if it is a willow, then it should be possible to take cuttings and grow a new tree from it … so that you can have the best of both worlds … as @BenCotto says Snowy can remain undisturbed under his tree in the home he knew, and along with your fond memories, you can take part of that tree with you to grow in your new garden. 

    I hope that you will be happy in your new home, and content knowing that Snowy rests peacefully and undisturbed. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • barnardlewisbarnardlewis Posts: 4
    Agree that taking cuttings would be the best option.

    I would also imagine the buyers need to be notified that you're planning on digging up and removing the tree if you go down this route.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    IV just noticed that the OP’s ‘name’ has ‘au’ towards the end of it so they may be in Australia and our remarks about this time of year will not apply … however I believe all the other advice is valid. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • annmarieberrettau7mg_IJannmarieberrettau7mg_IJ Posts: 3
    Hi All thank you all for your advice.

    I am in the UK

    I think I knew really that trying to move the tree would more than likely kill it,  but I had hoped someone knew a way to do it without killing it. 

    I have already told the new owners I was taking the tree.

    I think the risk of killing it is too high, although how do I know the new owners wont remove the tree anyway..

    But I think the option might be to take some cuttings now while I'm still at the house and leave the tree where it is sadly 😥 

    Annmarie
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