Question
I am looking into transplanting a red maple from my Uncle's property to my Parent's property (both properties are in Greene County, NY, Town of Catskill. I've read that you suggest holding off until Spring. Are there specific reasons for this? My Stepfather and I were hopeful that we'd be able to successfully transplant this tree over the coming weekend. We've purchased the tree gator to provide deep soakings, also mycorrhizal fungi to improve the soil, and also fertilizer. Would you please give me your recommendations? Thank you!

Answer
The reasons to wait until spring (the best time) generally are that the tree will start growing in the spring and the root system can get a good hold before the hot dry summer months. Oct is normally a dry month and the roots will not have enough time to grow before winter. Trees can be transplanted before the ground frezes in the late fall but the spring is the best time. I would not fertilize it until it has been moved for a year. Fertilizing it now may make it start to grow and the new foliage will be killed back this winter this new growth will use some of the engery stored in the roots and make the tree weaker next year.
If you are careful with the root ball and make the root ball and the hole large enough moving it now should be ok. Root ball should be 12 inches wide for every inch of doameter of the tree trunk and 6 inches deep for each inch of diameter. (4 inch tree will need a 48 inch wide root ball and 24 inches deep.) dig the new hole twice the size of the root ball and fill with good potting soil and mulch with not more than 4 inches of mulch. Water until moist I would not keep is "soaked" with water. Too much water is as bad as too little.