Can I Move a Sycamore Tree?
Native to North America, the sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a large-growing shade tree that enjoys moist growing environments. It's commonly found near rivers or streams. Many trees are difficult to transplant and adjust poorly to a new site, but sycamore isn't one of them. Transplant sycamore trees without worry to give them more room or to provide better growing conditions. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Significance
-
Sycamore trees are tolerant of transplanting, and will settle well into their new location. These trees can grow up to 170 feet tall, though most remain much shorter. Plan to move only young sycamore trees that you can handle with ease, since the large trees are too bulky and heavy to lift.
Time Frame
-
The late winter to early spring offers an ideal time for tree transplanting. Since trees are still dormant, they experience less shock during the move. Wait until the ground is soft enough to be dug, and plan to work on a clear day when no rain is forecast. You can also transplant a tree in the late fall, at the beginning of the dormant period, if you have mild, frost-free winters.
-
Process
-
First, dig a hole at the new site large enough to hold the tree. Make the hole twice as wide and deep as your tree's root ball. Remove rocks and roots from the hole. Next, dig up the sycamore. Dig in a circle around the tree to expose the roots, and then dig down to gather the roots into a ball beneath the tree. Lift the sycamore from the ground. Carry it to the new site and place it in the hole so it sits at the same depth as it was originally planted. Push soil into the hole to plant the tree. Water the tree after transplanting to saturate the soil.
Tips
-
To calculate the tree's root ball, measure the trunk diameter 6 inches from the soil. Estimate 1 foot of root ball per each inch of truck diameter. Using this formula, a sycamore with a 6-inch trunk diameter has 6 feet of root ball, which extends in a 3-foot circle around the trunk. To dig safely, begin digging 6 feet from the tree, then working down and in. Once you see roots, the roots can guide you.
-
