Relocating Fruit Trees (nursery, buy, winter, cut)

[Everdeen]

We bought a house last year and the owners had planted fruit trees too close to the front of the house in an effort to increase the curb appeal. We were going to relocate them before now, but it just didn't happen.

Is it too late in the year to do it? We are reluctant to wait any longer, but don't want to kill the trees either.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Personally, I wouldn't move them unless they are dormant. However, if you want to pay the cost to have the professional with a tree spade move them, they can be moved at any time that the weather is not hot.

Unless these are really special rare trees, it would be a lot cheaper to cut them off at ground level and buy new ones instead of paying for a tree spade. I suggest that you wait until they are dormant and move them at that time.

[Hemlock140]

I agree. I have moved an apple tree that was 5" diameter at the base but did it in February when dormant. Doing it now, even with a 1" trunk means not disturbing the roots, and for anything much bigger that means specialized heavy equipment.

[Everdeen]

Yeah, that's pretty much what the guy at the local nursery told me yesterday.

We'll move it at the end of next winter.

[hotzcatz]

Have you considered espalier? If they are close enough to the house, that might be an option.