Transplanting 15–20 Year Fruit Trees: Possible With Tree Spade

Can you move 15–20 yr old fruit trees?

Yes, But…

• Root ball: 9–12″ wide per inch trunk diameter; 6″ deep per inch.
• Example: 6″ trunk → 54–72″ wide, 36″ deep. Huge.
• Best: fall (after leaf color) or early spring (before bud break).
• Need Vermeer tree spade. Cost high.
• Old fruit trees often have disease/poor structure—may not be worth it.

Alternative

Graft scions onto new rootstocks. Preserves variety, faster, cheaper.

Resource

Tree spade: Vermeer

Bottom Line

Technically possible with big spade, rarely cost-effective. Graft instead.