Moving a small maple tree

[saginaw22]

I am thinking about moving a small maple tree that has grown under the edge of my house. The tree is about 12ft tall maybe 4-6 in dia.
What would be the right way to transplant this tree to another area of the yard.

How big would you want to make the ball for the roots.
how deep of whole do you need for the ball of the roots.
When is the best time to transplant the tree.

thanks everyone

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

What kind of Maple is it?
If it is a Norway Maple, grab it by the trunk, pull it out, and put it in the garbage.

 

[Dadatwins]

A tree that large will need a very large root ball to move, unless you have the equipment to do this, best option would probably be to move it bare root. Start by getting the soil around the tree wet. The majority of the roots on the maple will be in the top 6-8" of the soil. Carefully dig around a circle out side of the drip line down 6-8" removing the soil and moving closer to the tree. Keeping the hole wet will help get the dirt away. When you get it out of the ground you need to dig the new hole wide enough to accommodate the roots. Place the tree in the new hole so the root flair is level or just above the ground level. You will probably need to stake the tree for a while until it is stable again. Try and plant the tree with the same orientation towards the sun as you moved it from. Maple trees have extensive root systems and make a lot of surface roots so be aware of this before starting the project. If the new location does not allow for this, then follow Mr. Mass suggestion and get a different tree.

 

[saginaw22]

I think its just a regular hard maple.
I live in northen michigan.....just like the rest of them around here

I when is the best time of year to move trees?
I have heard that fall is the best time to move trees.
Does this matter at all?
Thanks

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Fall is best, after the leaves drop.
Identify the tree though. You don't want to do a bunch of work to move a weed. Norway Maples are invasive in your area. They move in to a native stand of trees and take over. In no time you have a mono-culture of nothing but Norway Maples. Their roots give off a poison that kills just about everything else. You can't even grow grass under them.
Norways are also low value trees. They are prone to frost cracks, leaf disease, and girdling roots.
Two things make me think you are dealing with a Norway. One it's a weed growing up against the house (Norways grow anywhere), and your statement that it was like all the Maples around (mono-culture).
Can you post a picture?

 

[Newt*]

This might help you to id your maple.
http://www.massmaple.org/treeID.html

Newt

 

[saginaw22]

Its a sugar maple...tons....and ....tons of sugar maple around here.

so I dont think that there any norway maples around here
all sugar maple that i know of.

 

[Newt*]

Saginaw, I think these sites will answer your questions. From this first one that has lots of other helpful info.
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm#Digging

Deciduous trees with a stem diameter of less than 1 inch and small deciduous shrubs may be dug either bare root or with a soil ball. Larger plants should only be dug with soil attached. Bare root transplanting should only be done in the spring and care must be taken to prevent damage to roots when removing the soil. Most shrub species require a root ball diameter of about two-thirds of the branch spread. The soil ball for trees should be a minimum of 12 inches for each 1 inch of trunk diameter.

More helpful info.
http://www.freeplants.com/how_to_ball_and_burlap_dig_plant.htm
http://www.arborday.org/trees/video/howtoplant.cfm
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1298/
http://www.watersaver.org/pdfs/FALL_CARING_FOR_TREES.pdf

Newt