Will the root ball be largely under the main trunk coming from the ground or in a wider circle the width of the spread of the leader?

The root ball will be under the main trunk coming from the ground.

The roots will spread outward so try to dig up as much as roots as you can but don't worry if you break some, they will regrow.

the problem.. will be getting the shovel where you want to dig with the weeping habit ...

you know the root ball you planted ... try for a foot bigger.. be happy if you get 6 inches bigger all around... do not go deeper ...

SHARPEN SHOVEL FIRST ... it really helps ...

dig approx. new hole first ... dig plant.. drag to new hole.. insert ... err towards planting a bit high .. i presume you would have told us if you had bad clay soil ...

see link for general primer ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

i wish PBucket hadnt messed up this post

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1827881/how-to-transpalnt-a-conifer-tree-huge-pix-post

You hit the nail on the head Ken. I'm concerned on how accessible the root ball will be because of the weeping habit. I purchased it for next to nothing from a nursery going out of business near me so if it goes teets up, I'll cry for a while and move on. Couple of points, hadn't heard of sharpening a shovel but it does make sense, but my question is why not go deeper than the original root ball? Again, hadn't heard of this before. Appreciate the insight.

And yes, I have red clay and sand as a soil but where I'm going to re-plant I have brought in 1.5 yards of top soil so I'm hoping this gives it a fighting chance.

roots are more in the form of a flat pancake ... not the shape of a tree you see above .... they just dont go that deep ...

sharp shovel cuts thru roots.. rather than crushing thru ...

in my sand ... i spent an hour or two digging that nice rootball ... then it all fell apart as soon as i tried to move it... some clay would be nice ...

see primer for general tree care ... dont worry about your brought in soil ...

just move it.. and throw its fate to the wind ... ken

ps: you claim to be a jedi.. no crying ...

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

I have killed to many plants moving but not wrapping ball

now I wrap even smaller ones

ron

The Myth of Fragile Roots

https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/fragile-roots.pdf

that talked about containerized

Makes no difference, of course - the roots aren't different because the plant was in a pot.

yah , but with 30/50 lb. root ball , could cause damage if it falls apart

Always wrap a dug transplant

ron