Hi, I've have been offered a weeping birch (as show in the attached photograph), which the owners need to remove immediately. I live in Melbourne Australia, so it is the middle of winter. The tree itself is 1.8 metres high with a 2.6 diameter. Can anyone suggest the best way to get it out of the ground? Because of the drought it is quite loose. Can I trim the roots which though shallow, spread out a long way? How quickly do I need to get it back in its new home? And of course, is there anything in particular that may help the soil as I will only have a couple of days to prepare the hole. Thanks Ilana
You'll have to lift the underplanting and set it aside, cut around the tree within the confines of the planter, lift it and cart it to the new location. Planter may require tarp or other protective layer put on rim, as you are likely to be hitting it with handles trying (as best you can) to undercut tree roots and lift it free. Do not attempt to move tree with large intact soil ball, rather lift it mostly or completely bare-rooted (during dull moist weather). Project may require more than one person at same time to complete. http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/FactSheets/Planting fact sheet.pdf
Thanks for your response. Would you be able to tell me what the best soil preperation would be? Ilana
