[CANUFNET] How big a tree can be moved? (Without killing it that is)

[David Stevenson]

Hi Jack,

Rules of thumb- that is the kind of information I am looking for, thanks! I should therefore not concentrate on the DBH of the trees but on the caliper and keep it under 11". What kind of watering regime is recommended (ie for one season, two?). The park in which these trees are to be moved is an old industrial brownfield  converted to park ~20 years ago.  I have no clue what soil  underlies the area (It may just be backfill). Soil pits in the park beckon I reckon.

Thanks again,

David Stevenson


----- Original Message ----
From: Jack Radecki <jackandali at sympatico.ca>
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 6:30:20 AM
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] How big a tree can be moved? (Without killing it that is)

 
I have moved lots of trees including Colorado 
Spruce with a 90 inch tree spade. On clay sites the roots are very shallow and 
spreading. The rule of thumb usually is one foot of soil for every inch diameter 
(caliper) 
Therefore up to 8 inch caliper but I have moved up 
to 11 inches as well but require much TLC. Ant transplanted tree must be watered 
regularly to ensure success anyways,
 
Jack Radecki
----- Original Message ----- 
From: David  Stevenson 
To: canufnet at list.web.net 
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:37  AM
Subject: [CANUFNET] How big a tree can be  moved? (Without killing it that is)

Hello All,

I have been receiving conflicting information about the  size of tree that can be successfully moved with a tree spade. I have heard  anywhere from 18" dbh (from a contractor who wants to move the trees) to 5"  dbh (from a developer who doesn't want to pay to move them). While there is no  point in moving trees that are going to just give up the ghost, there must be  some diameter above which the success rate drops off unacceptably. Just  wondering if anyone has any experience in the matter.

The trees in  question are predominantly Colorado Blue Spruce planted ~20 years ago from  nursery stock. They range in dbh from 7-11" and 5-7m in height.

Does  anyone have any information about the successful moving of large caliper trees  or know of anyone or anywhere I can find this information? 

Cheers,


David Stevenson, MScF,  RPF
Consulting  Forester,
KBM Forestry  Consultants Inc.
807 345-5445  x239

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