Root Balls

Figure A Figure B Figure C

If you're wondering how big a root ball needs to be when you're transplanting a tree and how heavy the root ball is likely to be, you might be surprised at the answers:

If you were to transplant a Japanese maple--roughly four to five feet tall (figure A)--you would want to dig a root ball roughly 15 inches in diameter; that root ball would weigh some 80 to 90 pounds.

Another Japanese maple just over six feet (figure B) would require a root ball of 18 inches in diameter--approximately 150 pounds. One or two gardeners could plant a root ball this size.

But this large Japanese maple (figure C) would need a root ball roughly 28 inches in diameter and would top the scales at nearly 600 pounds. Don't try to move a tree this size unless you have plenty of able-bodied helpers or a professional tree service.

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-623
•	Spring Gardening Chores and Planting Ball-and-Burlap Shrubs
•	Spring Q&A
•	Gardener's Math
•	Root Balls