I've got an 8 year old, 18' C.F. birch in the back corner of our property that I would like to transpant closer into the garden. I love the delicate sense the leaves show, but that's lost from any distance (ie in the back corner). Transplanting the whole tree is just too big of a job. I was wondering if it could be coppiced like some other birches and a smaller root ball (than it's obvious large root area at this age) be successfuly dug up and moved this fall or next spring. Any thoughts or experience? Thanks.
True, but I already have to substantiate the cost of a lot of trees and shrubs with my better half. Replacing it, and starting over without that big rootball, would take 7 years or so to match it. I'm 51 now, (selfishly) I would rather nt wait that long again. Also, I regulary (like a hobby) visit the nurseries in our area and I've never seen it offered again since then. In fact, embarrasingly, I originally got it for a steal of $20 at, of all places, walmart. Go figure.
Birch trunks tend to rot out when wounded. Transplant it bare-rooted, when leafless, instead of cutting it off.