Clearing
- Transplanting Shrubs & Trees
To move a shrub or small tree, use a shovel to sever the roots about 18 to 24 inches away from the trunk. If you can do this a month or two before transplanting, the growth of new feeder roots will help the plant adapt.
Next, dig around the
rootball
and undercut the bottom. Bunch a large piece of burlap in the bottom of the hole. Gently rock the rootball as you pull the burlap around it. Wrap and tie the burlap around the rootball. For large plants, place two planks on either side. Use a person on each end to gently lift the rootball onto the planks and transfer it to the ground.
You'll do less damage to a plant if you move it in cool weather, when its growth is less active. In cold-winter climates, this time is just as the ground thaws in spring. In milder areas, the best time is fall.
If you can't replant immediately,
heel in
the plants in a cool, shaded area.
The Pros Say...
If a plant is too heavy to lift or carry on a wheelbarrow, rock it onto a tarp and drag it to its new location. Be careful not to break the rootball.
Safety
Avoid injury to people and property by hiring a
certified arborist
to remove large trees. Never attempt to remove or prune a tree growing near power lines.
Safety-related resources on the Web:
Index of Occupational Safety and Health Resources (http://turva.me.tut.fi/~oshweb/)
National Safety Council (http://www.national-safety-council.ie/)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html)
Other safety Web sites
Tools and Materials
shovel or spade
pruning shears
wheelbarrow
burlap or cloth sheeting
string
twine
Tool and hardware-related resources on the Web