Thank you bamboo! :>)

In Zone 5 it should be end of winter. Root pruning can be tricky, it might be better to just cut the roots once, at the time of transplanting. In particular, you don't want to cut the final ball as small as when it was pruned, as you will then be cutting the new roots off.

My landscaper transplanted my Japanese Maple at the beginning of the summer when it was full with leaves. It's almost a year later now and the tree looks dead. Is there anything I can do to save it?

I know this goes against all that is written here on the subject, however, I must transplant my Japanese Maple now, in the month of August. Due to a major construction project the tree must be moved. I donÂt want to get rid of it, it is just in the way. I am planning on hitting it with SuperThrive (www.superthrive.com) and we will be using some heavy equipment to make as large a root ball as possible. I donÂt know the exact age of the tree, however it has been in its current planning for approximately 6 years. The canopy is 9-10 feet at its widest point. We will be making an approximate 48-60 inch root ball. Other than telling me not to move it now, is there any other advise one can give. I have photos available if that will help. This is a multi trunk.

ok.. i have a JM tree that has been at my house since i was born.. (18 years) and befor that even. the tree has been the for atleast 35 years.. and is extreamly sentimental to me. i jsut can bear to lose it.. but the county id putting a water line in and is going to dig it up or something to it.. basically destroy it.. and i jsut cant bear it.. the tre is about 10ft tall and about 6 feet at its widest point.. is there any thing at all that i can do or they can do?

I know this is maybe a month late, but if the county hasn't dug up your tree yet, then you might want to consider hiring someone to move it with a tree spade. The link gives some info .
I've had four larger nursery trees planted using a tree spade and all have thrived. Not inexpensive but you may find it worth it to save a tree that has sentimental value.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tree spade info

when is it best to transplant a jm when grown in a barrell for about 4 years now? they are not doing to well this year.

I have one Japanese Maple that was planted too close to some dogwood trees and I want to move it. The tree is in the low mountains of NC (1428 ft above sea level) about 25 miles north of Spartanburg, SC. The tree is about 6/7 ft high and about 3/4ths in. in diameter about 3 ft above the ground.
One more Japanese maple question; I have one at my home in Summerville, SC (25 miles from the coast, near Charleston, SC). This tree is gowing in a barrel about 2ft in diameter. The tree is about the same size as the other. The trunk is about 3/4ths of an inch thick and the tree is about 6/7 ft tall and spread out beautifully before the leaves dropped. When is it safe to transplant?