Transplanting a tree is a grueling landscaping job. Besides digging out the large root ball to remove the tree, you also need to dig a matching hole where you want the tree to be planted. There is an easier and faster way, however, that saves your back and reduces stress to the tree or shrub.
The TreeToad is a hand-operated tree and shrub transplanter that digs a tight, compact root ball and then lets you easily extract and move the tree to its new home. The model we used (24-in., 3pt-Hitch) features a beefy, gate-free frame, a hydraulic lift and large-capacity spades. It will unearth a 24-in. root ball, typically large enough to support a tree with a trunk diameter of up to 2-1/2 in. measured 6 in. above the ground. The diameter of the root ball needs to be 10 in. for every
inch of trunk diameter.
With the TreeToad, I surgically plucked a 10-ft. sugar maple from a crowded trio of trees and transplanted it about 100 ft. away in a friend’s yard. I’m pleased to report that both the tree and my back survived the project just fine.
Click here to go to a downloadable pdf, complete with photos and step-by-step instructions on how to move trees.