[fairfax1]

Let me follow the threads on moving apple trees with my own thread on moving Red Oak. I need to replace an American Elm that we cut down this fall. I want to put in a Red Oak because it is relatively slow growing and retains it's leaves well into the fall/winter.

I want to go as big as I can, however, I've got a restriction of about 48" (diameter) on the hole that it can go in. Now I realize a root ball that big is a monster to deal with. For practical handling reasons I'm sure I'll need to go with a much smaller ball.

Anybody here have experience with moving or transplanting this tree? either from wild stock or nursery stock?

Appreciate any suggetions...or references on retail nurserymen who could advise.

 

[bishs]

Slow growing? Red oak grow very fast. White oak grow slow.
I know oak trees have a large tap root. I am not sure if moving a large oak tree is a good idea.

 

[Peck]

10 years ago I dug up a 2 inch diameter red oak that was about 7 foot tall. The tree came out with nothing but one long tap root, no ball of dirt. I transplaned the tree, not exspecting it to live. The tree is now 8 inches in diameter and 25 foot tall.

 

[rabbit whacker]

Oaks get a bad rap as being slow growing. Red Oak is a fast grower, definately not slow, can grow 2' +/- per year. It transplants fairly well in the spring, I would not move it in the fall. Red Oak prefers a well drained sandy loam soil that is slightly acidic.

Where are you at? I can probably recommend a nursery close to you, depending on where you are.

 

[fairfax1]

It's taken me a spot of time to get back to your open invitation to recommend a nursery for my Red Oak need. My place is in Ionia County about 40 miles east of Grand Rapids, 40 miles west of Lansing.

I am looking to plant a red oak of 3" to 4" diameter. Want to do it in April, for sure.

Do you know any nurseries that carry them that large? I'm willing to drive a ways to get the right tree...have pick-up, will travel.

 

[fairfax1]

Thanking you in advance. I appreciate your help, RW.

fairfax1



And, as long as I'm thanking RW.....if any one else out there can recommend a nursery that handles relatively large Red Oaks (Quercus Rubra)...I'll appreciate your pointers too.

 

[rabbit whacker]

Fairfax - I will send you a pm

 

[mike hartges]

I'm curious. We have an oak tree that's about 7 or 8 ft tall and about 2 inches in diameter. I'd like to move it. Can anybody tell me how deep this taproot might be. The soil has lots of clay in it, so hand digging gets tiring real fast.

 

[butrunt]

Another thing to consider is where the tree is coming from and where it is going. If you get a tree from southern Michigan and transplant to northern Michigan the change in climates may seem slight to us but to a tree it is huge. Try to find a nursey in the area in which you want to transplant. Also consider the condition from which the tree is coming from. If it is coming from an area that is wide open with no shade try to replicate that on your property. The smallest changes can sometimes have the largest affect on trees. Just my 2cents.