Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Plant Species >> Trees

Moving a 4-Year-Old Fan West Ash in Phoenix: Pro Equipment Needed

Root Ball Reality

5-in trunk → 45–60 in wide, 30 in deep ball. Weight: thousands of pounds. Hand-digging is impractical and likely fatal to the tree.

Solution

Hire a tree spade company (Vermeer dealer locator). Alternatively, prune limbs away from house and leave tree in place—ash roots rarely damage foundations.

Free Advice

Arizona State Forestry can send a forester to assess.

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