I have 2 Japanese Maple Trees that were planted in my yard 6 years ago. They are each over 5 feet tall and my favorite plants. I am in Georgia, getting ready to move in 2 weeks from the Atlanta area to the Statesboro area. The trees are already full of leaves, but I really want to take them with me. I bought a huge roll of burlap to wrap the root ball. My question is how wide should I start digging from the trunk? The trees are at least 5 feet wide. And with it being spring here, is it hopeless? I don't want to kill them, but can't bear the thought of leaving them behind. I have had them over 10 years, initially in pots. Pictures are attached. Thanks for any help and advise you can give.
You can move them - I've had great luck moving JMs at all times of the year. Just try to get as much of a root ball as you can handle, and plant as soon as possible in the new location. Water very well, and if the new location is a sunny spot you may want to create some shade for the plants for a few weeks. A few stakes with a sheet tacked between will work, just make sure there is good air circulation. Do not fertilize the plants for at least a year after they are moved.
In my opinion the most critical thing when moving trees/shrubs at this time of year is to protect the leaves from any wind while they are being transported. Tender new leaves are especially vulnerable to drying out. If you move unprotected trees in the back of an open truck for even a few miles at highway speed you will seriously stress and possibly kill them. The best would be to transport them inside a closed van. If you must move them in an open truck or car trunk you need to make sure that the leaves are completely protected from wind. This means not just tying a tarp loosely around them, but ensuring that the whole plant is covered with plastic and that the plastic is secured in such a way that the wind won't get under it and cause it to become loose and flap around while you are driving.
The size of the boot ball is usually determined by the caliper of the trunk and not the spread of the canopy. The rule of thumb for digging root balls is 10 inches of root ball for every one inch of trunk. When digging dissectums, it is best to take twine and carefully tie the branches together making kind of a spider look out of the plant. It is easiest to do this with two people if possible. Take care not to put too much stress on the branches as you gather them together. This allows you to dig around the plant without having to fight as much with the spread of the canopy. This is probably the worst time for moving maples. The maples have just pushed their new growth and this wood is not hardened off but like K4 mentioned they can be moved at almost any time. Try to get them in the ground as quickly as possible or at least in to a pot if the ground is not an option and as mentioned keep them protected from the wind and make sure they get adequate water. Ed
Not to be controversial, but unless you felt the new owners would cut these down, why not leave them and start fresh? You risk a lot moving them now, and the purpose seems to be to preserve the trees as best you can. I would hate to leave my maples, too, but maybe the new occupants will really like them. I've had damage just repotting in the spring. You might regret moving them if they didn't continue as the same trees you love at your new home.
