Question
We have Pistache, -3years, need to transplant, too close to kitchen wall.  When would be best time/season full bloom or fall colors..  Any special notes on roots.  Tap root or surface/water root care.  Any special instructions because I do not wish to loose it.  It is a very beautiful tree, but I put it it a spot that It will not have a chance to survive!.. I wish to transplant it in a larger area so it will thrive as it has been/ without restrictions it has now or will get worse.  Any transplanting tips.  It is over 6 ft now.

Answer
Trees  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.

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

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 top soil and mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk.