Question
My tree is about twenty years old and while I trim it each year, it has outgrown it's location by the pool and is practically "in" the pool. I must move it about four feet. Any tips would be helpful as I could not bear to lose this beauty.

Answer
Moving a tree that is twenty years old may be a large job depending on the size.
Older 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.


The new hole should be twice thee size of the root ball and as deep. Fill with good top soil or potting soil and mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch, Water every third day for the first couple of months if it does not rain.