Beech Tree Transplant

In early July 2004, a large American Beech, Fagus grandifolia, needed to be moved due to its current location. Normally, beech trees should only be moved in early spring, but with pressing construction plans, the tree needed to be transplanted immediately or cut down. The tree had a 6 inch caliper and stood at 40 feet in height. Three to four years ago, the tree had been root pruned, which greatly helped with this move, for only small roots were pruned with nearly no large roots needing to be cut.

Using a backhoe and hand tools, GHHF employees dug the root ball, which measured 80 inches in diameter. Due to the timing of the move, we dug the root ball slightly larger than it probably needed to be to further insure the health of the tree.

A few days after being dug, the tree was moved using a large excavator across the property and planted immediately.

To help clean it up and so there would be less foliage that the roots would need to support, we pruned back some of the lower branches. The tree received a deep watering weekly and suffered no dieback or early leaf loss from the transplant.

As of this winter, the tree has budded up, and remains healthy. Hopefully, this spring, no die back will occur and the tree will continue with its healthy life in its new location.