Question
I want to transplant a 5-8 year old weeping willow tree.   I will be digging it up in wooded lot and placing it in my yard where I have a lot of water that soaks my yard.   How do I go about transplanting it the correct way?

Answer
Deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs may be planted either in the spring or the fall. Deciduous plants may be moved in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground, up until the time when new foliage is partly unfurled.

Although all trees and shrubs can be moved in either spring or fall, there are some which establish themselves better when moved in the spring, such as the softwoods (willows, poplars, birches).

The larger the tree the larger the rootball the heavier the rootball.

Older deciduous trees  can be successfully moved only if a ball of soil is left around the roots. The exposed roots should be protected with moist burlap or newspaper or with polyethylene sheeting. Every effort should be made to reduce root exposure to wind and sun, keeping the ball as moist as possible. It's best to prepare the hole before digging up the tree you wish to move.

Size of the root ball and size of the hole:

For deciduous trees and shrubs the soil ball should be:

Width = 9-12 in. in diameter/every 1 in. of tree diameter
Depth = 6 in./every 1 in. of tree diameter

For example: A tree trunk 2 inches wide would need a soil ball of 18-24 inches wide and 12 inches deep.

To calculate the weight of the soil ball before you move it, use this formula:

Weight of soil ball = width of ball x depth of ball x .05 lbs.

For example: A tree trunk of 2 inches wide would have a soil ball that weighed:
(24" wide x 12" deep) x .05 lbs = 14.5 lbs.

A tree trunk of 4 inches wide would have a soil ball that weighed:
(48" wide x 24" deep) x .05 = 56 lbs.

To ensure that the soil ball is not disturbed when moving, it should be held together with a piece of burlap or sacking. "Lace" the burlap with heavy twine if the tree is to be moved a considerable distance.

Dig the new hole large enough so that the root system will not be crowded or folded. Usually it is best to dig a hole twice the size of the root ball.

Broken roots on bare-root trees and shrubs should be trimmed back with sharp pruning shears. Set the tree in the hole with the old soil mark (ie. where the bark is discoloured on the main stem) at the ground level or slightly below. Drive in a stake for support if required.

Work the soil down between the roots or under the curve of the root ball, firming it periodically to avoid air pockets.

If setting a soil ball, which is firm, remove the burlap beforehand. If it is not firm , soil may be placed in the hole so that it comes about half way up the soil ball. This soil should be packed firmly, perhaps by tramping on it, and then water the tree thoroughly. Once the water has disappeared the burlap should be cut off and folded down on top of the tramped soil. Next, the hole may be completely filled with soil which can be tramped and watered again.