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Transplanting 4-6" Caliper Red Oak (TX)

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From: Gloria De La Garza
City:
Quemado, TX
Hi!

I would like to ask the same question as the other reader, but with a bit more details. I would like to transpant a Red Oak that is about 13' tall. the trunk is only about 4-6" in diameter. I planted the oak going on 2 years, I didn't realize how close I planted it to some electrical lines (phone, and cable lines) and not thinking it would grow as wide as it can, I rather transplant it when it is appropriate so that it will not interfere with the electrical lines above.

 
Extension Message
From: Jay Hayek
Extension Specialist, Forestry
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
jhayek@illinois.edu
Greetings Gloria,

Yes, it is feasible to transplant a larger Red Oak tree with a caliper of 4-6" and a total height of 13'. Mind you, it is going to take some work on your part to excavate the necessary minimum root ball diameter for this tree. Moreover, you need to transplant the tree when it is dormant (i.e., not during the growing season).

According to the literature, you will need a minimum root ball of 42-70 inches. Which means, you will probably need to hire a professional arborist with a mechanical tree spade to move this tree. For more information on transplanting larger trees, please refer to these publications:

http://www.forestry.iastate.edu/publications/F-359.pdf

http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/spfiles/sp572.pdf

Best of luck!

 
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