Relocating Illawarra Flame Tree (forum)

Travelman starts with ...
We have a lovely Illawarra Flame in our new Sunny Coast hinterland acreage that unfortunately has been planted far too close (3m away) to a lovely big Red Cedar, and we want to try & relocate the Illawarra Flame to a more visible spot. We thought we would try and do it ourselves, rather than employing a contractor with a tree spade, but not sure if thats a foolhardy ambition. We've started the process of cutting through the roots in sections around the base, and its looking like its going to be a hefty root ball to lift and carry, so will need a few helping hands. But what I don't know is whether I'm tring to do the impossible as maybe these trees have a long tap root which might make the task impossible. The tree is about 6m high with a base diameter of 18cm. Can anyone give any words of wisdom?

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Time: 30th June 2009 8:33am

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About the Author Travelman
Eudlo, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
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Dekka says...
Other Brachychitons like Kurrajong and Bottle trees have deep tap-roots so Flame tree probably does too. That doesn't mean, however, that if you sever the tap-root you will definitely kill it. Most of the feeder root system will be towards the top of the tap-root so preserving as much of that as you can will help. You'll probably have to stake it out with diagonally opposed guy ropes and make sure it gets regular water. Pruning beforehand will reduce stress but the effect it will have on the form of the tree may mean you end up moving a handsome tree only to turn it into a "Quasimodo" during the process.
If it was my place I'd plant a few more different Brachychitons and make the Cedar the feature.

Time: 30th June 2009 1:17pm

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About the Author Dekka
Newcastle
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kobi says...
dig 2 slim trenches on opposite sides of the tree a few months before you plan the move...
this will encourage new growth roots from those sides...once they have started, u know that the plant will adapt thru this system...
then when u r ready, u can dig 2 more trenches on the sides u haven't done b4
take the tree out, and u will already have new growth roots for its' new home, and less stress
make sure u dig a new hole a bit deeper than needed...put some new fresh soil in and fertilizer, put your new baby in, stake it up, fill the surrounding hole 2/3 with water and let settle, then fill the rest of the hole with more fresh soil and fertilize well.
water the top of the new soil after making a small dam around the edges, and keep the water up at least every few days so the new roots systems really gets established...
seaweed or fish emulsion is my favoutite for all plants and won't burn anything if u overdo it...
so if the tap-root is finally severed, u will have new root growth already there

Time: 18th April 2010 7:32am

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About the Author kobi1
brisbane
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