Transplanting an established Emerald Cedar

Discussion in 'Gymnosperms (incl. Conifers)' started by shrubbist, Apr 13, 2008.

  1. shrubbist

    shrubbist Member

    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Victoria, BC, Canada
    12-foot-tall emerald cedar is too close to the house. Does anyone know how big the root ball is on a tree that size? Is it feasible to dig it out by hand? Thanks.
     
  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

    Messages:
    11,417
    Likes Received:
    501
    Location:
    Britain zone 8/9
    No, not feasible for hand digging. The roots will extend roughly as far as the tree is tall, or a bit more.
     
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,251
    Likes Received:
    786
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
    Need a contractor experienced in this kind of project. It won't be cheap. Since these trees can actually be had comparatively cheaply in fairly large sizes, if you want to have another maybe just cut this one down and plant another.

    To assure greatest margins for success transplanting should be done during winter rainy season rather than now, we're too far into the spring. This being a conifer not saying it is sure to fail dug now, but...
     
  4. jimmyq

    jimmyq Well-Known Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    2,345
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada.
    A skid steer mounted tree spade would make short work of it, depending on the model or brand of the spade it may be able to get right close to the house. A decent sized rootball (not the extent of the roots) for a tree of that height would be in the range of 32" diameter and about 20" deep, pretty tough go by hand.
     
  5. shrubbist

    shrubbist Member

    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Victoria, BC, Canada
    Thanks for all your advice. It sounds like a big job. I was trying to visualise the job and it occurred to me that a hole three feet across by two feet down is not all that hard to dig, except this one would have a tree in the way.
     

Share This Page