Winter time transplant Brrr. Any advice?

[Janet Macunovich 32]

J.B. sent the following, and I replied as below. But really, how much winter time tree digging have we done? Can count the trees on our fingers! Anyone out there with more to add?

 

I have a question. I need to transplant my 3' tall Japanese Maple within the next two weeks. Do you have any recommendations for a successful transplant. - J. B. -

 

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Good time to do the move, J.B. Except if there's ice in the ground that makes the root ball heavier or the root mass harder to free up of (heavy) excess soil.

 

Next two bits of advice are same as we give all year:

Start digging outside the drip line to identify how far out the roots have spread -- how big a circle of roots it is -- to and try to take them all.

 

Don't use the tree's trunk as a lever; that's too much weight to put on it and it may break the connection between it and roots, and/or damage the cambium. Move the root ball by tipping the ball and sliding a tarp under it, then skidding the whole package around to its new place. With a few friends, it'll be easy to lift that way where everyone can get a handhold on the tarp.

 

Plant it at the same level it was growing. then put a fluffy mulch over the entire root system and keep that area snow covered, or moist if there's no frost in the ground.

 

Set up a wind barrier if there's any chance the tree will be in brisk wind as it leafs out. That's a huge drain on water. (A Japanese maple shouldn't be in the wind but we know sometimes they are. Once established it may be able to take that drain but while adjusting after a move wind is especially tough on it.)