How to Transplant a Tree or Shrub | Newtown CT Landscaper - Landscape Designer

www.landdesigns.com/blog/ - Newtown CT Landscaper
Please adjust volume lower when Dingo is running and higher when I am farther from the camera.
A video showing a Newtown Connecticut CT landscape contractor properly transplant a small tree or large shrub. A Bloodgood Japanese Maple is transplanted using a nursery spade and a Toro Dingo in this Newtown Connecticut landscape. Proper methods for digging, root pruning, and transporting are discussed.
Thank you for watching!

[@suzanneweston585]

I didn’t know you could cut the roots that much. You saved me so mu toch concern and time when I transplanted a red maple today. I’m in the northeast. My friend had a tree business. He said I should wait until the tree goes dormant with most of what it needs stored up and then transplant it. I did it today after a rainy day. We’ll see how it goes in the spring.

[@CTSCAPER]

Great job Suzanne. Give it a good mulching and keep it well watered though the winter.

[@ItNeverHurtToThink]

I'm blown away that such a large tree only requires such a small root ball. Fantastic video, thank you so much!

[@CTSCAPER]

I would have liked to dug a larger root ball but the machine could only lift so much. The tree did great.

[@jantzensteves]

Very informative video even 12 years later! Thanks

[@CTSCAPER]

Nothing has changed in the way I do things. Thanks for watching!

[@southcoaster4135]

It's great when true professionals share their knowledge.

[@limolee007]

And then the client comes home and says "Very nice but could you move it 6 feet to the left?"..... Thanks so much for making vid - cheers.

[@limolee007]

+Land Designs Unlimited LLC Yes - I'm sure! I watched this and another vid as I've been asked to shift three smallish pine trees - each one around 2.5 - 3 metres. In Australia here it is just the beginning of Spring so still very cool and good time to do it. Something I had not thought of was hiring a a little dingo with fork tines as I've got to move three trees a good 300 metres. Anyway, we've had some good rain lately (Semi rural outer metro of Sydney) and as said weather's cool. If only I had an extension pruner with chainsaw head. The other job has been trimming down 30 or 40 3+ metre high pines down and have been doing by handsaw - sheesh! (Money probs at moment in buying one)

[@nickkarimi8175]

I reds as

[@CTSCAPER]

I did that to myself once. I moved a laceleaf maple that was about 8' in diameter and 5 feet tall and then realized it needed to be two feet farther away from the walk. I got some great pictures of the new roots growing which I used in this video. True story but I wouldn't do that again!

[@thomasthurman2723]

@@CTSCAPER hello 👋 I'm so curious... What if a storm.. you have a fruit tree split then it splintered and you were rooting a whole bunch and they rooted and they're in the same family as that tree and you tried grafted and putting it together?

[@River_StGrey]

Had a customer ask if I could clean the dirt around the moved tree because it was too "dirty". R: Sure, like rake up the debris? C: No, you're not listening to me. I want you to wash the dirt so it's clean. R: So, water the dirt? C: Oh my god, no. Clean. The. Dirt. R: But with water... C: Yes, exactly!

[@rakjy5628]

After watched a few of these videos for a project - this bald man is the best, both in terms of explanation as well as actual practical advice for this business. My hats of to you sir!

[@CTSCAPER]

Thanks for the kudos! It's amazing what a fashion statement a baseball cap can make. :-)

[@essebug1066]

I have noticed that most smart guys have blad heads ☺️

[@susantau]

Wow - impressive!!! Wonderfully clear narrative/demonstration. What a beautiful job. I especially appreciated the reminder to be cautious of underground cables and to cut all roots CLEANLY. Thank you!!!

[@acertreesjapanesemaples]

Great video John, we share this often in our dedicated Japanese Maple Group on Facebook, helps a lot of people, thankyou very much

[@MistyMtFamily]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video! I really appreciate it. I'm going to attempt to move a curly willow and I feel much more confident in doing so.

[@pcl311]

Good video, John! I've been fortunate to successfully transplant several medium and large size bushes (4 Rhododendrons, 3 Azaleas, a Cherry bush, 5+ rose bushes and an 8 foot Apple Tree). It's not easy. I live in the northeast and I only transplant in the spring or early fall. I've tried transplanting during the summer and not very successful. I use a trenching shovel along with a good spade to dig out a bush. I also find that a garden trowel is useful for digging down and under the bush to free deep roots. My preference when digging out a root ball is to save as much root as possible. I search for roots and follow them digging free as much root as I can. If roots run too deep or too wide then I will cut them. I keep as much root as possible and don't trim extended roots or exposed roots as you did. This maybe unnecessary or overkill but it works for me. I similarly follow your method of transplanting. With the transplant, I provide a 2-3 gallon soak with a water soluble fertilizer to act as an anti shock remedy. I water the transplant daily (1.5 - 2 gallons) in hot weather and every other day in cool weather and only when not raining or rain not forecast. I also give the transplant a weekly one gallon water soluble drink until the fall. I then water weekly. This seems to work.

[@Eastbaypisces]

What happened to the ones transplanted in summer? I just did one a day ago, hoping for best

[@bt9124]

You were right not to cut big roots.

[@8__mi]

Thank you for contributing to the KZbin community with your excellent video & explanation.

[@ozelot911]

Best How-To for tree transplanting on KZbin. Awesome video.

[@Apollo_Blaze]

Wow, I learned so much from this awesome video....I am planning to move a citrus tree much smaller than this, and now I know I can do it well...you do great work...Thank you so much for this! ....Be safe

[@caseleface5994]

Thanks man... big help. I'm trying to bonsai a big magnolia and this gives me confidence that I can actually make it work.

[@squeekie23]

Thank you! I had no idea you had to cut the roots! I am moving a favorite smoke tree of mine.

[@bac4998]

How did it work out?

[@Muielamanelisti]

don't cut them to short and depending on the tree it might not survive

[@sl5311]

The end convinced me to cut the roots-nice before/after.

[@fsj197811]

Awesome! I have a bigger tree that I'd like to move about 10' someday and your how-to video should help a lot. Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge with us all.

[@debraarizona4809]

Awesome job! Now I know one person can dig a tree up,and move it with a machine. Thanks for sharing👍

[@snyderwood]

Great video and explanation on reasons to do the job the right way. Thanks for the explanation on how far out to begin to dig the root ball. I have always heard to go to the drip line but on some plants and trees that would be unmanageable.

[@w.a.8825]

Hi, great video. I just transplanted a profusion crabapple tree after it was in its spot for 5 years. The roots were not as bad, but I had to get my cutters out towards the bottom. Hopefully, after giving it some water, it will bounce back it hasn't bloomed yet. I hope it survives .

[@GardenContinuumINC]

nice to see the attention to the root system. very important. Thanks!

[@russellthom1169]

Thank you for this video, now my wife says I have to move the treee :P Seriously, great video. I have 2 Japanese Acer Palmatums just a bit smaller than the tree you were working with. I was looking around for hours and read so many differing opinions, but your video shows the proof. Have a great day!!

[@sugarbomb26]

Brilliant video!! you covered everything so well!

[@Mityob67]

Really great tree removal demo. Thank you!

[@wummerG]

Thanks, great tips. Especially about the weather as our house will be finished in the middle of Melbourne summer and we currently have a tree right where our fence has to go. I guess we might squeeze in there earlier and move the tree. If you've ever watched Melbourne Open tennis you would know the temperatures we deal with.

[@josereyna851]

great job, great explanation, that for sure helps. thank you!

[@MC-pg2ko]

Excellent video. Just what I needed. keep 'em coming! Thanks!

[@ronaldcahoon5242]

Thank you this video has been very helpful especially how to take care of the roots

[@scooter433]

Thank you! Incredible video. Very well done.

[@arahont2]

Thanks a lot for such a great manual. Cheers from Russia!

[@zTribalstylerz]

amazing video! Nice job teach

[@CTSCAPER]

Thanks!

[@samstruths]

Thank you for such clear and concise instructions! If only more How To videos got straight to the point like this. Great to know this can be done when tree is in leaf:)

[@Memaw_life]

I’m over here out of breath just looking at him dig.

[@nugentmilicent7049]

A thank u from london england.a big day tmrow .just got keys for new house 4#days ago.it has my dream garden.im gonna transplant a few trees from old one.had no idea how to do till i saw this video

[@MrLucifuge1973]

Yayo, also known as nose candy or cocaine....lolol. It's probably bone meal (bone marrow) @@anandsuman9628

[@richardzhang6741]

您是一位富有經驗的植物專家，感恩分享並美好祝福!

[@thilakmudiya7313]

Excellent video

[@roberttoomey1755]

Great job!!!

[@joesshows6793]

Thanks for the help!

[@xyz2007123]

Great video!

[@M1xGarand]

Great job. Thanks for the tips!

[@M1xGarand]

+Land Designs Unlimited LLC Yea. Im a fan of the history. My dad use to make me watch old WW II videos and now I'm a fan

[@j.v.p.8646]

Excellant. Very informative.

[@notchback93]

That’s some hard work thanks for the video I have some aborvarities I have to move thanks for all the tips and advice 👍🏻 side note I also live in Connecticut

[@mickgriffin3335]

Excellent video many thanks.

[@CTSCAPER]

Thank you Mick.

[@christinebeames2311]

Brilliant info no waffle , thank you x

[@DRJoker-ws3zm]

Thank you very much for very informative video

[@zebmamawahdia2568]

The root systems of mature trees vary dramatically in formation and struture from one cultivar to the next . As a result successfull transplant risk amounts vary. For example .. Maple trees have notiouriously dense root sytems . I have transplanted them successfully even after having been forced to hack away 70 percent of the preexisting roots . The opposite is true for a mature Kousa Dogwood , where a manual transplant fail is much more likely.

[@paulshankland4200]

How about Evergreens? I have 3 lovely Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteums) I started from germination, I now need to move, and wonder about the success rates on this species, and the root density I might expect?... The is trunk about 1 (or maybe 1.2) inch in diameter on the largest one at 8 ft tall; and other two have inch trunks, and are about 3-4 feet tall - they look more like shrubs than trees right now - too crowded ... I like the method in the video, as straightforward (I looked at air-spades, if that helps the Sequoias, I'd try that but seems to be quite a "production"...). And - if I need to delay putting Sequoias back in the ground 2-3 days - will that be a show-stopper? (I am sure I can use some mitigation strategies for such delay if needed) ... Thanks!

[@LMAO-ef3ip]

I think the best advice anyone can take from this video is the caution to take whist digging because of power cables ect

[@LMAO-ef3ip]

***** Scary concept, makes you wonder how many people had not put a second thought to this danger.

[@REDWINGJON]

Super job! Do you have any advice for transplanting a Conifer tree. Trunk is around 10mm diameter. Do you know if the root grows downwards or outwards. Any help would be appreciated. John

[@jstriker623]

Great video- Thank you!

[@CTSCAPER]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@karinbarnaby8548]

Just terrific. Thanks for this instructive and information-packed tutorial It is extremely helpful as we are preparing to move a pink dogwood about the same size as this maple 30 feet from its current location.

[@brianmerino907]

Important information here thanks for sharing

[@shishdim]

Nice vid - thanks!

[@gazgazgaz2]

Thank you for great video, love it

[@fsj197811]

Thanks for sharing. I have a tree with a 12-14" trunk that, like the person in the video, I'm looking to move about 30'.

[@spookydahmurky7130]

Good video very well explained I have a question for any of you tree experts i have 2 trees in an almost unaccessable area The area is only accesable by a small staircase The trees are both around 3m high But i was wondering how much i can cut of the trees or the branches to still make it survive and grow after a while The trees are a yew and a catalpa If there is anything else i need to know about transplanting the trees please let me know Thanks!

[@tonygaytan9848]

Great information thank you.

[@esmeraldaalejandro264]

Hi! Liked your video very much, but i was wondering about how much do they charge to transplant a tree that size, any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[@juanpabloflores2355]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!!!!

[@lucianosantos5869]

You should get double paycheck!! respect!!!! And thank you so much for sharing this great info video...

[@cidviz12]

Great video! Very informative. Just for reference, how much would’ve you charged for moving that tree?

[@abdulbaig2099]

Nice clean job.....Do we apply fertilizer now or wait forr sometime

[@Martink444]

Thank you, nice, kind man!

[@davidfletcher5360]

How did you make the well? good information

[@shepburn4755]

John is it possible to move mature trees like a Kousa Dogwood, Japanese maple, and weeping cherry from your old house to your new one? What would an approximate cost be? We are having a difficult time moving and really want to take our trees with us. The bank took our home after my husband passed away, and these were his favorite trees. We’ve been here 28 yrs. The Kousa is the largest. Thank you!

[@soloestemomento]

Fabulous video, thank you so much :)

[@fordguyfordguy]

one of the most important points made was apparrently cut short at the 59/1:00 mark.

[@walkingmonument]

One of the methods used in bonsai to keep plants small but also to minimize plant stress during transplant is to cut 1/3 or 2/3s of the foliage a few months before uprooting or taking out of pot. The reasoning is that the foliage should correspond with the amount of roots on the tree and being that so much of the root system is going to be lost during the removal and transplant, you can prepare the tree for this loss by removing the foliage. Has anyone used this method? I want to remove a tree that was planted in a poor location but I won't be able to use a machine to help me. It'll be the combined man power of 4 guys. I figure the smaller I can make the plant above, the more roots I'll be able to cut out below, making it more manageable. Does that sound possible?

[@nirajdoshi5235]

Wonderful 👍

[@miguelcamargo5278]

Great job tomorrow i ll going to get the same tree maple japanese i ll do the same like you thankyou 😊👍

[@ronniejccsu]

What is you're trying to transplant a low laying wide diameter shrub...how do you get under to dig out the root system?

[@nenitacki4206]

AWESOME VIDEO THANK YOU! :) :) :)

[@orlandob9958]

It’s mid October in New York , would you recommend moving a maple at this time of the year. It’s approximately 8 ft tall, very thin. I planted 3 years ago at a foot tall. Would you say it’s good to go or should I wait for the spring? Also I have a green giant that’s 8 feet tall. I’m guessing this root ball would be about the same size as the one in this video. I want to know if it’s possible to move it with just two guys or is machine a must ?

[@pawsitivenooz]

The root you leave behind, will that grow another tree if you leave it there?

[@mindexas123456]

Depends on type of tree

[@flupachi]

Hello from Bend,Oregon! I have a 14-foot, leafy tree with about a 3" diameter trunk. I want to transplant it soon to a wooded lot, along with my roses. What kind of professional would I call for these services? Thanks!

[@REDWINGJON]

Thanks for that in in my message it says 10mm its actually 100mm diameter do you know how big the root ball will be!

[@allans7281]

Interesting didn't know you can cut the roots. Should you add B vitamins to the base

[@backyardgrillmaster2910]

Thank you very much

[@Hussain-ch3pr]

hello, i know this an old video, but I wanted to ask if it was possible to move cordyline plants?

[@philbrightman5537]

hi buddy im diggin up a acer n dnt have a clue wat im doin.I did wnt to replant it but sum of the roots r damaged....is there any point in replanting if I cnt get roots out without damaging them.thanks.

[@walsh9354]

It's winter had snow & it stuck but currently melted. I need to transplant a small pine tree to put a retaining wall in. Will it live ? I wanna get fill dirt than a machine to move stones all at once. & the tree needs to move before spring. It's trunk is smaller than my wrist so much smaller compared to your video

[@wheelmanstan]

awesome, yeah you gotta soak those roots, tiny roots are so important

[@sanbell6951]

Did you not flag the tree for orientation before you removed it? How is that tree? Did it survive?

[@dasledogg64]

Great video, with such practical information. Would the principle with the string work for a smaller tree Crimson Queen? And would you always dig a whole foot deep? I am looking to move a well established Crimson Queen.

[@CTSCAPER]

Yes with the string and when you're digging down each tree is different. Eventually, you'll get to a point where there are no more roots coming out. Usually, that's around a foot minimim. Bigger trees are usually deeper but in reality, around here, most tree roots are in the top foot of soil.

[@dasledogg64]

@@CTSCAPER thank you very much for that quick reply and information. I'm a bit nervous but I feel more confident in the task now

[@CTSCAPER]

@@dasledogg64 Not sure where you live but wait for rainy weather in Sept to transplant. You don't want to transplant mid-summer in the middle of a heat wave (Here in the Northeast US).

[@nowitsabadtime]

Hi John, this video looks just what I'm looking for. I am planning on transplanting Hemlocks that are approx 30 years old, nice and bushy, for a privacy screen. I know I will need a Bobcat and a lot of water. Is this kind of project feasible? Is there ever a time when a specimen is "too big or too old" to transplant? Thanks...

[@silviocastro4396]

If I dig out and emerald green how long can this tree be out with dying before replanting it?

[@REDWINGJON]

Thankyou very much

[@yvonnealvord8947]

Prep and a plan seemed successful, did that tree live after 12 year ago you moved it?

[@CTSCAPER]

I saw the tree yesterday and it is thriving...and huge.

[@andrewang17]

thanks for the video. if cut the branches off first before transplant, will that be ok?

[@CTSCAPER]

it's normal to prune some branches when transplanting a tree. Hopefully you don't prune all of them.

[@lindakonvalinka5486]

There was more large root showing. Wouldn't it be beneficial to cut at end of length than shorter?

[@DanielPerez-ws6ts]

How long did it took you to remove that tree?

[@affordablelawncare9107]

Can i use that tool to remove a crepe myrtle..

[@trentigalaxy]

I like to transplant some trees in my area. I live in New Mexico and the soil is hard and clay like- kinda like the moon. there's always a drought here, but we water trees with the hose and just a few are surviving. a little bit of green looks so lovely here. but a lot of our trees get a sticky sap and the bark become dry and crispy and they eventually stop budding and growing and crack off. someone said it's the lack of moisture in the ground, some say the soil is poor and lacking in nutrients that causes the trees to fail. I really want our trees to flourish! :) I want to transplant some baby trees further away from our house,

[@berkeleydojah]

how does this apply to much bigger trees, i believe i have a really big plum tree thats not producing plum anymore and i just want to move it.

[@robertf7982]

when is the best time of the year to transplant Japanese maple

[@OliviANDixie]

Update on the tree! 😀

[@CTSCAPER]

I saw it a couple weeks ago and it looks great! I didn't have the camera though.

[@jonathan1613]

I have about six trees I need to transplant to a new home we are building they're about three years old and range from about 15 to 30 feet tall I have one live oak that's the tallest at about 30' the rest are Shermund oaks cedar elm and bald cypress we got them from a nursery about three years ago they resented the transplant pretty bad and are just now starting to come back to life I really want to move them to our new property but if they have a good chance of dying I'd rather leave them here :/ you think I could transplant them all this way? And if so is there a good chance they'll make their second transplant?

[@eternalrecycling8069]

I bet that was a real hard work.

[@0truckmafk]

I think that if you turn the breaker off, you are only turning the power off to your house. That line, is that leaving the house to run some out door electronics or is that going to the house?

[@Kei-Kei]

Thanx! 😎

[@lycemail]

Great video! Thanks, I should have watched it for my own knowledge before hiring my landscaping to transplant 3 live oaks about 12 ft and 5 inches in diameter; they did a terrible job and looks like the trees are not gonna make it: they unplantted the trees with very little roots (less than 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep, mostly matured thick roots), dusted out the roots (no original soil from where they were planted), took them about 5 hrs to plant them in the new place, use mixed oil and regular soil, and now water is getting stuck and not draining or moving down, did not make well nor pipe for water not stake to hold it in place.... three days later and trees look sad and leafs drying.... do you think they will make it? Thanks,!

[@offplanetevent]

lycemail Did the trees make it ?

[@lycemail]

They did not :(