we urgently need to move an established Acer

Hi I'm looking for some advice i have to lift and move a very pretty variegated Maple Acer. I need to do it very soon if i don't try and save it it will be cut down. it is such a nice tree about 7' high and 4' in diameter. I know now its not the right time of year to do this and its not helped that there is limited space to dig around the roots. I don't know if the roots go deep or spread out if its spread then i will certainly have to cut through some of the roots. The tree has been in this location for 20 years it's height is stunted i believe because the soil is poor and there is not much space for the roots. is there any advice you can offer trying to get it out and if i manage to get the tree out how best to replant in a pot for couple of year or straight into a new ground site?

 

Whatever way you try, you'll probably kill it, at that age it'll have a pretty big root system and it will be difficult to retain enough of the root ball for the tree to support enough water up-take.
I knew someone who tried it. It looked OK at first but after a week the branches started dying off a few at a time.

 

I agree, I cant see a tree thats been established for 20yrs likely to survive a move, even if you moved it at the right time of the year, let alone in late spring.

 

Dave, how far is the plant being moved? If only a short distance, do the following:- Give the tree a GOOD soaking the night before moving, make sure the hole it is being transferred to is dug and well watered. Dig plant out early morning or latish afternoon when it is cool. Transplant to prepared hole, backfill, then water in. Keep the plant well watered and if possible. shaded. That is about all you can do.:gnthb: It is NOT a death sentence for the Acer.

 

I have to agree that it is not worth the effort you will have to put in
I don't think there is a hope in he** of the tree being able to survive
But then .... I may be wrong
Incidentally ... these trees are rather shallow rooted, so you wont have to go too deep

 

I agree, they are shallow rooted, but they aren't "ball rooted" like say a rhodo. That's what makes it difficult. By the time you get out out of the ground it's likely to be "bare rooted" which is why it'll die.