You’ll want to dig out the root ball where the branches stop where possible. Get as many roots out intact as you can. Ideally, do it before it leafs out and starts growing again and get some mulch on the roots. Water it regularly for the duration of the first summer.
QueasyAd1142
I would pay to have someone with a tree spade move it. Generally, the root ball will be about the size of the canopy. Even though it’s not a very large tree, the weight of it with root ball would be too heavy to move/transplant effectively. A tree spade can dig a new hole, then dig the tree up, move it to the new hole, drop it in and then, the dirt from the new hole goes in where you removed the tree. These trees are quite expensive so it would be worth it to pay to get it moved.
LaughingDog711
You could simply start pruning the side on the stairs heavier. It would lose its balance though. It would be a challenge for any landscaper to dig and move it properly with the retaining walls there. Pruning it might be delaying the inevitable which could be removal. But you could prune and keep it there many more years. Unless of course you got deep pockets than certainly pay someone to try and move it.
CiaoMofos
Pruning easy….. moving, I don’t recommend. No space to get a sizable root ball.
Yakutwolf
Move it during winter. I moved one slightly larger. Had to use a saw on the roots and my truck but got it out and transplanted it. It’s doing fine a yr later
acer-bic
Maples are the black belt test of a pruner and weeping maples may be the second degree black belt. Get a professional. If you’re going to move it, don’t prune it. It’s going to need all the leaves that survive to feed the new root growth. Your best bet is to go just outside of the drip line with a transplant shovel and cut straight down all the way around. Wait a year for it to grow new feeder roots, then move it. Know that the root ball will probably weigh 200+ lbs , again, you might want to get a professional with the proper equipment. I would say that even then you have about a 50% chance of survival. Given what it will cost to move it, you might be better off using that money to buy a 5-15 gal plant and grind rid of this, especially given how poorly this has been maintained.
7 Comments
What till it has its leafs
You’ll want to dig out the root ball where the branches stop where possible. Get as many roots out intact as you can. Ideally, do it before it leafs out and starts growing again and get some mulch on the roots. Water it regularly for the duration of the first summer.
I would pay to have someone with a tree spade move it. Generally, the root ball will be about the size of the canopy. Even though it’s not a very large tree, the weight of it with root ball would be too heavy to move/transplant effectively. A tree spade can dig a new hole, then dig the tree up, move it to the new hole, drop it in and then, the dirt from the new hole goes in where you removed the tree. These trees are quite expensive so it would be worth it to pay to get it moved.
You could simply start pruning the side on the stairs heavier. It would lose its balance though. It would be a challenge for any landscaper to dig and move it properly with the retaining walls there. Pruning it might be delaying the inevitable which could be removal. But you could prune and keep it there many more years. Unless of course you got deep pockets than certainly pay someone to try and move it.
Pruning easy….. moving, I don’t recommend. No space to get a sizable root ball.
Move it during winter. I moved one slightly larger. Had to use a saw on the roots and my truck but got it out and transplanted it. It’s doing fine a yr later
Maples are the black belt test of a pruner and weeping maples may be the second degree black belt. Get a professional. If you’re going to move it, don’t prune it. It’s going to need all the leaves that survive to feed the new root growth. Your best bet is to go just outside of the drip line with a transplant shovel and cut straight down all the way around. Wait a year for it to grow new feeder roots, then move it. Know that the root ball will probably weigh 200+ lbs , again, you might want to get a professional with the proper equipment. I would say that even then you have about a 50% chance of survival. Given what it will cost to move it, you might be better off using that money to buy a 5-15 gal plant and grind rid of this, especially given how poorly this has been maintained.