12" truck?. In diameter? If it is truly 12" in diameter, then I would not touch it. It is much too big to risk loosing the tree. Trim it properly, and forget it.

If it 12" tall, then plant it, and properly positioning the root ball to make the tree straight; and forget the lean.

The trunk itself is 12-14" in diameter and 4' off the fence line so I would really like to move it. It would make me sad if it dies but I hate when people have stuff growing over the property line. I just looked and there's really only one largeish limb that is well over the line and a few smaller ones. Thing is the time will come when I won't be able to even use a ladder to trim it out of the neighbor's yard.

I have a tractor with a back hoe so can move a fair chunk of dirt with it. I almost hate to ask what the chances are of it surviving the 20-30 foot move?

Thanks for the reply KR KNuttle

This link will give you an idea of what you are suggesting.

https://www.ruppertnurseries.com/stock-standards-specifications/

Based on the chart in the URL a 12" tree would require a root ball of over 9' in diameter and require equipment that would be able to lift and stabilize a tree weighing close to 20,000 pounds.

I think that you would need a company with a proper size tree shovel to move the tree.

Thanks for the info and the link.

hire a tree spade.. and hope for the best... i have no clue how expensive the rental would be.. nor what your odds of success might be ..

this is not a DIY protect unless you have a tree spade around.. lol .. and if you did.. you wouldnt be asking us..

of course.. that will move it.. it really doesnt answer how to plant it upright ... and that might take a backhoe..

frankly.. imo.. cut it flush to the ground.. and go invest a hundred bucks or so i a new tree.. it just wouldnt make sense to me.. to spend thousands on moving a basically worthless tree.... btw.. there is no ID of the tree.. maybe we should ID it.. before coming to any conclusion... pis of leaves and trunk will get you an ID....

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ftsa&q=tree+spade+for+one+foot+diameter+tree&iax=images&ia=images

Here's a little inspiration for you. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFTj0hM3DHM

BillMN-z-2-3-4 Thanks a LOT for the inspiration. Yeah that was playful sarcasm. :)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 Thanks for the reply. Actually, none of the replies have really answered the 'upright trunk or same angle' question for a tree this size.

If it wasn't for having a bit of sentimental value I'd simply remove it. Having said that, I'm willing to take my chances moving it myself. I would think it would have a better chance since it's such a short distance and not going on a road trip?

I'm not in a huge hurry so can trim it back this year and move next year. I just saw a video where the guy recommends doing a 'root pruning' the year before by cutting down about 1' around where you'll dig for the root ball. Totally doable.

The vertical pole in the picture is 10' so the horizontal white line is at 10' as well. Would someone identify this critter please? To me it's 'Christmas tree' but it would be nice to know the species.

My thanks to all the replies regardless if I use them or not.

Third time is the charm (Smaller file size)?

Pay attention to the previous comments. This is NOT a DIY project. Even with root pruning, the tree and its necessary rootball are far too large to move without professional equipment (tree spade). And even with that caveat, the tree will be iffy wrt to long-term survival.

Would take 100" tree spade minimum. Not easy to find depending on location.

Yu' know... Yu' all are well meaning and while I do appreciate your taking the time to respond, please stop with the 'hire it out' advice because it's not happening. I asked one question so please stick to that.

It won’t matter how you orient it as it will die anyway. Unless you tear down the fence and dig in the neighbor’s yard, you’ll lose too much of the back side root mass. Even with a trench around it with enough roots, you can’t dig under it and lift it to keep the rootball together which is key for success.

tj

The neighbors may not mind having a few branches over the line. If they do mind, they can remove them. Have you asked them? It may be a non issue.

The neighbors have never said anything and probably don't care yet but at some point the invasion would likely bother them. Plants growing over the property line is a peeve of mine so it bothers me to have someone else dealing with my garbage. Thanks for the input, PNW.

Being a pine, any cutting back of the top will not result in new growth. It has already been compromised by the cutting off of the top, exposing the leafless branches beneath. These will not regreen. Sadly, it has lost its beauty so, although you don't want to hear this, I would add my voice to those saying it would be a fruitless exercise to try and move it.

1. Do I think it will live, NO.

2. Do I think it will look good, NO.

3. If you are set on moving it, go ahead it is your tree. It will still die, but it has already been topped and will never look good again. Move it, rotate 180* so that it points to the neighbor. Then when it dies, remove and do what you should do now, plant a new one in the correct spot.

ETA: You said sentimental, so see if theere are cones with seeds and try to sprout the seeds.