Advice on transplanting Australian Native Trees

Carrie

Hey Eric - thanks for setting up this site.

I am have a garage put out hte back of my house in Canberra and need to have a lot of lanscaping doneto prepare the site. this includes the removal of 4 large paperbark trees and an ornamental cherry and a 'shademaster' (not sure what that is).

I was hoping to move them all to another spot in the garden but information that I am reading says that it is pointless trying and they should all be removed and taken to the tip.

Can you please advise if that is correct? I will attach a photo to give you an idea of how big they all are. the Shademaster is on the left - the 4 paperbarks on the fenceline at the back and the cherry is on the right.

Thanks very much

Carrie

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Lee Pelley

Hi Carrie,
I am NOT the last word of this subject, but many trees with a diameter of 4 inches (or less) CAN be moved quite well. Your photo shows crowded trees, so you might be killing off the others in the process of moving just one.
I would really give some heavy thought before removing any of them. Shade is often a saleable commodity in summer!
If you do have any removed, I would suggest merely having ONE taken out and see how you like that before having them all cut. And do that in winter!
Good luck to you.
Leef

Carrie

Thanks Lee

They all have to go I'm afraid - a garage is going right where they all are next to the fenceline and it is the only place I can put the garage. I hoped that it would be possible to ge tthe bobcat to just lift them up with their root ball intact and put them into a new hole but at 16 years old they might be a bit past it.

My neighbour accidently pulled the top off another one in the garden and I had to chainsaw the top off it to fix the cut - and it all grew back amazingly in 12 months and is now healthier than ever. But of course the tree was still in the ground and the roots still intact so maybe the resilience relies on a stable healthy root system.

Thanks for your comments Lee

Carrie

derwoodii

With summer on its way energy vs return on these plants I reckon sox em. Save you $ & plan well for replanting next year. Bob cat transplanting of established trees such as these often sees them fail soon after or dip in vigor and regrowth for some years. A shame the summer shade will be missed perhaps works be put it off till next Autumn?

Carrie

I think you are probably right. Can't wait until Autumn as the garage goes in soemtime in the next 2 weeks - though with this wet weather it could be held up but probably not until Autumn!

They are 16 old trees and probably were heading towards their use-by date. I just feel guilty not trying to save a tree that seems healthy and has given me so many good years.

Thanks for your advice.

Carrie

Eric Frei

Well, for mature trees that size you need more than a bobcat scoop.

Large tree transplants

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Carrie

Thanks those photos of the tree being transplanted are amazing - I've never seen anything like it.

Thanks for your advice. I'll have to let these ones go and plant some new ones next to the new garage.

Cheers

Carrie

Brent Ferris

If you're willing to take down the fence, and can get a truck in a tree spade can prob do the job for you. if the trees are small enough, and the bobcat large enough, bobcats can use a tree spade attachment., SHould look into it, trees take time to grow -- better for you if can save them.

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