Can A Mature Acer Be Moved?

Question

When moving house 10 miles within Surrey I would ideally like to bring my beloved Acer- approx 25 years old, 7 feet high, 50 foot circumference?

• 

Answer 1

This tree does not do well with moving. This is, especially, true when it is already established. It can be done, but I would seek the assistance of someone in your area that has experience moving existing Japanese maples, specifically.

I can offer another solution, however. Taking a cutting during dormancy (really several cuttings so that you can be sure that you get one tree to survive) can help you to move a smaller tree. You can opt to let it grow on its own, slower, root system, or graft it to a faster maple species as a root stock.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/moving-mature-trees.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/layering/air-layering-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-grafting.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-care.htm

Answer 2

Thank you for your very helpful advice - now need to find an Acer expert in the UK, preferably London area