Question
Hi, I just read on this forum the same situation in which I am currently. My trees are with about 6" trunk and healthy, but planted side by side so closely that they will be sad to look at down the road. I am in Northern MN. and we had our first heavy frost last night. The next week looks as if it will be somewhat nice during the days, 40's and 30's in the eves. Bemidji MN. Can I still move these plants? Is it too late? We've been busy with construction on the home and put this off until now. Will be using a bobcat very carefully and getting much of the root ball as can . Thanks so much. Elaine

Answer
Deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the time when new foliage is partly unfurled. In the fall, they may be planted once the leaves start to turn color up until the ground freezes.

Although all trees and shrubs can be moved in either spring or fall, there are some which establish themselves better when moved in the spring, such as the softwoods (willows, poplars, birches).

I would think for your situation I would wait until the spring to move these trees. You might get a way with it now but it will not be long until y'all there get cold weather.

When you want to dig up a tree or shrub for transplanting, retain as much of the root system as possible.

Deciduous trees  can be successfully moved only if a ball of soil is left around the roots. The exposed roots should be protected with moist burlap or newspaper or with polyethylene sheeting. Every effort should be made to reduce root exposure to wind and sun, keeping the ball as moist as possible. It's best to prepare the hole before digging up the tree you wish to move.

Size of the root ball and size of the hole:

For deciduous trees and shrubs the soil ball should be:

Width = 9-12 in. in diameter/every 1 in. of tree diameter
Depth = 6 in./every 1 in. of tree diameter

For example: A tree trunk 2 inches wide would need a soil ball of 18-24 inches wide and 12 inches deep.

Dig the new hole twice the size of the rootball and as deep and fill with good top soil and mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk and water good.