Mature trees have been moved successfully, but many also drop dead while trying to get established in their new location. In general, trees and shrubs located in an area only a year or two are easier to move than those established for some time, Goodspeed says. Larger trees can be moved but require a professional nursery and a hydraulic tree spade. The trick to moving large or small trees or shrubs is taking as many roots as possible with the root ball, he says. Normally, plants send out roots several feet in search of nutrients and water, he explains.
Some trees extend their roots a hundred feet or more.
One way to encourage root growth around the base of the tree is to prune some roots at least a month or two before moving the tree. Root pruning severs the roots near the trunk and encourages root development around the base. This allows the plant to maintain some roots for water and nutrient uptake while growing new fibrous roots. The area around the base of the tree you plan to move should be divided into thirds, he says. Then, dig trenches to cut approximately a third of the roots.