Question
a water oak volunteered and sprang up in my hedge a few years ago.. intended to move it out.. NOW it's 12'-15' tall and I worry that it's too close to the house. the base of the trunk is only about 5' from the foundation. IS this going to be a problem? Can (should) the tree be moved?

Answer
Yes it is too close to the hosue and could cause foundation problems in the future. I would move it now while it is still small.
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 colour 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. Deciduous trees that are only 3-4 years old may be moved with their roots bare.

Older 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.

To calculate the weight of the soil ball before you move it, use this formula:

Weight of soil ball = width of ball x depth of ball x .05 lbs.

For example: A tree trunk of 2 inches wide would have a soil ball that weighed:
(24" wide x 12" deep) x .05 lbs = 14.5 lbs.

A tree trunk of 4 inches wide would have a soil ball that weighed:
(48" wide x 24" deep) x .05 = 56 lbs.

To ensure that the soil ball is not disturbed when moving, it should be held together with a piece of burlap or sacking. "Lace" the burlap with heavy twine if the tree is to be moved a considerable distance.

The new hole should be twice the width of the rootball and as deep. Fill the hole with good top soil and mulch with not more than 3 inches of mulch and water.