I like to play in the dirt. When I can do it while saving some money, it's even better. I had a wild red-bud tree growing next to the house. For the last three years I've said to myself that I needed to move it to the front yard. I went out this weekend and noticed it was now or never as it was reaching 10' tall. It was where I am going to plant blueberries (maybe) this spring so I had to move it or cut it down.
I had a helper who loves worms. I have transplanted maples in the past which was rather easy because the roots spread out. However, I learned that red-bud roots go down and not out. I had to dig down about 15" and still had to break more roots than I wanted. I got the tree moved to the front. The soil was wet and it was perfect as the grass stayed together and I was able to put it back. I soaked it to a quick sand consistency and was able to squish it all back into shape and make it look like the tree had been there for a while.
I would have probably had to pay $100 for that tree from a nursery. If it takes, I'm only out an hour and a bunch of worms.
Last year I transplanted a maple to the front and it has taken in spite of the deer. I have some red maples and shingle oaks growing in my mulch that will be reaching a foot tall. I'm out of room to transplant so if you want a free tree that will grow faster than one sitting in shock in a nursery, let me know.
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