Question
Hi - we have several very small (3-6 in) to 2 ft tall pine and juniper trees on our Sedona AZ property that we would like to move. Also have a live Christmas tree too from this past Christmas that is potted and currently in the yard. I keep it well watered and will need to put it in the ground soon.

My questions are:

1) Should I move the trees that are in the ground directly from the ground back into the ground in the new place - or ground to pot, then to ground - after time?

Any tips?

Answer
The 2 foot trees can be moved from the ground to the ground. The smaller ones should be put into a pot filled with good potting soil to grow another year or so until they are 18+ inches tall. The Christmas tree should be planted this early spring after the last freeze. (around end of March ).

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  trees  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.

In your case I would go with 12 inches width and at least 10 inches deep.

Dig the new holes twice the size of the rootball and back fill with good potting soil mulch around the trees with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch and water good. Water about every other day for the first 2 weeks and then once a week if it dose not rain. Do the same for the Christmas tree.