We have a redwood tree 20' tall and 6'wide very bushy is it too big to transplant?

Question

It's pretty bushy, we think its a sequoia or a cedar...It's too close to the garage which has a 2nd story loft...it's about 4' from the foundation and we figure in time it will have to come out anyway, so why not maybe just move it over now.

Answer 1

There are companies that specialize in tree moving and they usually have a machine called a tree spade.  This apparatus will move your tree easily and the cost is usually within the range of the average homeowner.  

Answer 2

That really does sound too big to move.  Consider this from the North Dakota Forest Service:

"If trees are over 3 inches in diameter, special equipment is often required to transport the tree."

I know that there have been efforts to move old historic trees, but these are expensive ventures that require major resources.  You would certainly have to hire a company to dig up and relocate your 20 foot-tall tree.

I think most people would recommend that you cut it down-- attempting to transplant it probably would not be cost effective.

Answer 3

  no tree is too big, if you have the money. i've seen them move trees that were 40 or 50 feet tall. in fact there was a site about building  some texas mall and they brought in full grown trees to plant along the street to the mall. if you've got a couple hundred thousand bucks you don't know what to do with, call a tree moving co., i'm sure they'll refer you in the right direction.  

Answer 4

you will have to professionally move it like by using a crane

Answer 5

this is movable dig around as much as possible. you want to dig about ten times the diameter around and deep. when digging you should form a ball. wrap in bur lap sacks and get a backhoe with chains to move it. now it will be in shock for a couple of weeks but just water it and your good.

Answer 6

Yes.

There's no freaking way you can get that thing out of the ground alive.  Sooner or later you're going to have to chop it down.

If you were hardcore, though, you'd move your house instead.  That tree was there first.