Why are trees transplanted? I’ve asked this question to myself many times over the years. The thought usually comes to me in the middle of moving a large tree at a client’s property. As you can imagine, it’s a huge expense to move a mature tree so, if you’re planning to plant a tree, make sure you do your homework. Research not only the solar and soil requirements but also the mature size and growth rate for that tree before choosing a location. Better yet, choose a tree based on a pre-determined location rather than buying a tree and trying to fit it into your existing landscape. The reason trees are typically moved is because they were improperly sited to begin with. People just don’t realize how big the tree they just brought home in the back of their station wagon will eventually become. It’s hard for most people to imagine a 6 foot containerized tree maturing into a twenty foot tree in a decade or worse, a 50 foot tree in a couple of decades. Typically, trees are moved because they were planted too close to a structure. If a tree is properly sited, it should never need to be moved. Today’s move is a Japanese Maple that is a few years away from consuming a driveway. Originally a 4-5′ tree, in 6 short years it has grow to 16′ tall and wide.
