Hey all. The folks over at r/treeidentification helped me identify this lovely Hinoki Cypress in the front of our house. Goes without saying that this spot (by the original owners) is going to become problematic, if not already.
Google is telling me these things can get pretty large. Currently it is about 9’ wide and 12-13’ tall.
We would love to preserve this tree and am confident we can find a new spot. Would you recommend we hire professionals to relocate this? We’ve never tackled anything like it but not opposed to learning and putting in the work if not overly complicated.
What sort of space would you ideally like to see from any structure or foliage in a new location? Full sun location OK?
Thanks for any input.
by Cogged
19 Comments
Not an expert here but my understanding is that the larger the tree the more likely it will not survive a transplant. But regardless I think a professional would be mandatory here.
Talk to a legit arborist.
It is possible to move it, but you definitely need to hire the right company to do so. It’s not going to be cheap by any means, the alternative is to trim it back.
They are incredibly slow growers. That tree has to be at least 20 years old. I am so jealous.
That is a beauty! You can move it, definitely hit up an arborist in your area not a landscaper (I say that as a long time landscape professional and current landscape contractor lol). If you don’t have a good spot for it, there’s actually site where you can sell specimen trees like that, can’t remember the name off the top of my head but worth checking out.
Cut a semicircle as wide as possible in the ground around the base of the tree.
Your goal is to sever the roots, but only one half at a time. Wait a year, do the same with the roots on the other side. Wait a few more months, then start digging.
If you can get it quickly moved and into its new location with stabilizing posts, water it a lot, it might live.
Anything less than this has a higher chance of it dying.
That’s been there awhile, and is going to require some sort of lifting equipment to get out, no way you could lift it by hand.
Pray and wish for good luck…
Good luck
It might be easier and less expensive to move the sidewalk and trim what’s bumping up on your house
Genuinely better to move the house and few feet
Almost impossible
I would cut it down. Going to cost a lot to save and I’ll bet you have some damage to the house.
Hinokis are very sensitive trees, no way are you going to be able to move that successfully. They hate root disturbance. You could prune that back pretty heavily (if you do it carefully, it won’t look bad) and get a couple more years out of that location. But eventually it’s just too big. If you really want a hinoki somewhere else, get a new one, but get pot grown (as opposed to balled and burlap), if at all possible. I won’t even bother with balled and burlap as they almost always die.
The great thing about trees is you can always grow another one. Just chop it and spend the money you would’ve spent moving it on a new one.
Not yet, its exactly the size the designer had in mind when they planted it lol. Wait a bit longer, seems a shame. But then just chip it for mulch or use the wood/timber for something. Too hard to transplant when compared against cost and benefits of putting in a new tube that’ll establish better
That is a beautiful, healthy specimen. I had one that was growing really well, and then it died suddenly and I was sad.
I didn’t even know they got that big.
Learn how to prune it properly, but if you are dead set on moving it find a company that specializes in moving trees.
That’s a tough spot nice tree, just too close to the house. At that size, relocation is doable but risky without the right equipment, so a professional would be the safer route. If you try it yourself dig a wide root ball, keep as many roots intact as possible and replant during a cooler season to reduce stress. Full sun should be fine, just make sure the new spot has good drainage and enough space to grow out properly.
Front yard most likely, dont have a good image of your house but if your facing your house I would put it somewhere lower left, magnifying the beauty of your house with a beautiful tree.
It is not likely going to go well, but if you are going to do it, here are a few considerations:
Rootball would need to be roughly the size of the drip line–going to be tough given the location and by hand.
Early spring / late winter would be best.
Treat with anti desiccant before and after transplanting.
Bioplex transplant additive or similar.
Make sure soil is wet before digging, and water deeply,but infrequently after moving.
Start this year with some partial root pruning , pre spading on one side at a time.
Once you get it out of the ground, you are going to need a way to keep the root ball together and transport.
Probably easier to just buy a new one unfortunately.