Relocating a tree vol2

[Pks]

I need to relocate 89 Austrian Pines. They are 1-1/2 to 3 inches in diameter and 8 to 12 feet tall. The problem is the spacing, about 18 inches apart. I want to separate them so they don't kill each other or loose their lower limbs.

I expect to rent a skid loader with an attached Tree Spade.

I need to know the specifics on the root system: depth, width, and will all the roots be wound together in a mess? Can I hope for reasonable success? The soil is acidic sand (typical for Austrian Pines).

 

[beenthere]

Being 18" apart, you will likely have intertangled roots, as well as intertangled branches. A pine 8-12' tall will have branches at least 3-4 feet in length. If they are 18" apart in rows that are 18" apart (?) then getting individual trees removed with a tree spade seems pretty tough to do without tearing up the trees you want to leave.
I would consider just cutting down the trees that are between the trees you want to save.
But, notwithstanding what I would do, your question was about the roots being interlocked.

<font color=blue>""I need to know the specifics on the root system: depth, width, and will all the roots be wound together in a mess? Can I hope for reasonable success? ""<font color=black>

The roots will be around 2-3' deep, and about as spread as the branches are spread, and the roots (at 18" apart) will be wound together. The trees you want to remove should have a spade footprint relative to the diameter of the tree trunk. I would go 1' for a 1" diam tree and 3' for a 3" diam. tree. I wouldn't worry about any roots that are outside the footprint or that are tangled with a neighboring tree. They will be missed, but not crucial to the survival. Nursery's will root prune in the years prior to spading and moving, so the roots tend to bunch up nearer the root ball of the tree, and there isn't so much shock when relocating.
Hope for reasonable success is a good idea, but I think you can expect it too - if you can move the trees while they are still dormant, mulch the new trees to retain moisture, get plenty of water to the trees that are relocated for the remainder of the growing season, stake them for two years so they don't blow over in the wind, and do not let the root ball dry out while in the tree spade.

 

[rdbrumfield]

If you have a single knife ripper that you could back between the trees with and rip from both sides it would probably help to take them out individually.
When I take trees, I get under the best I can and strap the tree trunk back to the bucket. When you lift it will keep the tree from tipping out of the bucket. It also helps to free by pulling on it when bcking up and lifting. a couple of back and forths while lifting usually does it.

 

[Pks]

Thanks for the input. I'll take this information and talk to a couple of the nurseries down the road...see what they think too.

In our case, all 89 Austrian pines will be moved. We are going to make a windblock/hedge row with them. Right now, they are in the middle of the yard.

My wife and I cannot figure out why the previous owner(s) planted them so close together or in that spot in the the yard. To me, it seems like they just went to a tree sale, bought a bunch of 2 inch tall trees and stuck them in the ground.

Thanks again.