Moving tree with air spade

[arborheights]

Im moving my first tree with my new air spade. Its tri color beech approx. 6" in diameter. I moved many large B&B, but this will be my first with a-spade.
Any suggestions? Common mistakes, fert. after planting, staking, how long it will take to expose roots? Thank you in advance for any comments.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

No suggestions except...hydrate the tree and soil before you start the work. Maybe a week or ten days ahead of time.

Take lots of pictures.

 

[treegazer]

Keep the roots moist throughout the entire bare rooting process. Keep a hose with a mist sprayer handy.

Dig the new hole before you extract the tree.
Backfill and water in lifts.
Retain as many roots as possible, you should have a much wider root plate than you would traditionally have with a root ball.

If you can, bare root the tree and cover it back up with soil and water in. Wait a few weeks before moving to a new home.

We moved a 6" bur oak in 2008 to my front yard and I think this was the key to success. The roots were covered in a nice moist film of soil. We also moved it and planted in early February.

Apply preventative insecticide to ward of borers and other pest for at least two years.

Monitor soil moisture religiously to ensure establishment.

Good luck