Question
We are moving in about a month. I have a six year old red Japanese maple that is about 6' tall with a spread of about 5'.
I love this tree, and would really love to take the tree with me to our new home. We are only moving a few blocks away, so transporting it would not produce too much stress.

I understand that the best time to move it would be in late fall or winter, but that is not an option here.
I brought the tree to our present home, transplanting it when it was 2 1/2 years old, and it did very well.
Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
The ideal time to move maples is  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. This is due mainly to the temperature and moisture. IF you have to move the tree now use this method.

When you want to dig up a tree or shrub for transplanting, retain as much of the root system as possible. Deciduous trees and all ages of evergreens, 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 root ball and as deep and fill with good top soil. Mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. This will help hold moisture. i would then water every third day with 1 inch of water-place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. I would water every third day until the Fall.