Question
Hi, a neighbour of mine has had their garden re-done and in the process they dug up a young tree (about 8 years old, 7ft tall) and gave it to me to re-plant in our back garden.

Because of where it was planted (in between two paths) they had no alternative but to cut through some of the bigger roots and some of the smaller ones, the root ball is still there however.

It was out of the ground for about 1 day, but it did sit in some water and soil. I have replanted the tree, but all the leaves have wilted, I am watering daily as I have been told that thats whats needed! - My question is, do the leaves on trees wilt after they have been moved and as the roots have been cut, is there any chance this tree will pull through? It has now been 2 days and the tree is still looking wilted,

Thanks in advance,

Lee

Answer
There are several things not going for this tree being transplanted.
The time of the year is probaballly the worst time for transplanting.
Tree species--some tree species will transdplant better than others.
The size of the root ball--sounds like the root ball may not have been the proper size--should be about 12 inches for every 1 inch of diameter --A 5 inch diameter tree should have aroot ball of 60 inches across.
The hole should be about twice the size of the root ball.
From your discription I could not tell if any of this happened. In any case the tree will be in shock and the leaves will wilt. Here is a web link that will give you information on transplanting trees and the care for them afterward.
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm