Digging up and moving a large citrus tree?

[MtnHaul]

I need to dig up and move a large Bears Lime tree on our property and it's much bigger than anything I've attempted in the past. The tree is too close to our house so I have limited access on the house side of the tree but great access on about 75% of the diameter. My main question has to do with digging out a large enough root ball and then being able to extract the tree and root ball. I have access to a tractor with a front end loader but am unsure about the best way to use it in this application. I know I'll need to dig a trench around the trunk and would like to go 3 feet deep but I have no idea how hard the soil will be. What is the best way to sever the roots under the root ball where there is no access? Use braided cable and pull it under the root ball in a choker configuration? Other?

Assuming I get all the big roots cut properly I need to extract the tree from its location and move it about 20 feet. The tractor isn't big enough that I can just lift the whole thing out and carry it but I was thinking about wrapping a strap around the trunk and pulling it out at an angle and onto a tarp, wrap the tarp tightly to try and keep the root ball intact and then carefully drag it into it's new location.

Any ideas, tips, criticisms are welcome. I know the tree is going to take some damage but if I can keep it alive it will recover eventually.

 

[EFSM]

It may be easier to move the house

 

[MtnHaul]

I try not to get too attached to anything but for the last 20+ years this tree has been the focal point of what you see as you come up our driveway and I have to make the effort or I'll regret it. The limes are pretty damn good too--ceviche, margaritas, key lime pie, Thai dishes, etc.

 

[chiselbit]

You might try looking up Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for moving a tree. There is a trunk formula to get the size of the rootball, 1 foot for every inch in stem diameter, do everything possible to avoid knocking bark off.

 

[Sloughfoot]

Propagate

 

[Seachaser]

Tree spade is the answer. You can rent them around here, but they’re not cheap. The only other option is lots of work.

 

[tallgrass_coyote]

Not sure if a tree spade would work so close to the house.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Tree spade is the answer. You can rent them around here, but they’re not cheap. The only other option is lots of work.

This answer, the end.

 

[MtnHaul]

So far, no tree spade rentals in the county--but it sure looks nice and easy.

 

[Seachaser]

So far, no tree spade rentals in the county--but it sure looks nice and easy.

You usually have to rent the operator with it.

 

[MtnHaul]

You usually have to rent the operator with it.

Aside from making a bunch of random calls are large arborist companies the best bet for this sort of equipment?

 

[MtnHaul]

Years ago I saw a crew extract a large japanese maple--5 guys dug a trench around it real fast and then before I knew it they had the whole root ball wrapped in burlap and a lifting sling. A handy crane truck just plucked it right out and onto the flatbed.

 

[Seachaser]

I would call the largest orchard in your area and see who they use. Around here it is pecan growers that use them the most.

 

[beaglebriar]

The hard part is keeping the root ball together enough so it has some stability when you replant it. I tried and failed with a tree that was next to our house. I had to redo some drainage and it was in the way. Could not get the tree to stay upright after transplanting. I hope you have better results.