tree relocation?

[destillat]

So I've got a really nice tree in my front yard.
It's a weeping spruce, about 16 feet tall.
The problem is my front yard is small, this tree was planted too close to my walkway, and it will be too big for it's space in the next couple of years.
Since it is a beautiful tree, I think it would be a waste for me to just chop it down?

Does anyone have any experience with tree relocation services?
A google search didn't really result in much... but they must exists.

 

[Rockslinger]

If you live in Toronto, your first enquiry should be to the forestry department at city Hall. What you call your front yard might actually include public property and if this tree is on public property, then only the City of Toronto is authorized to touch this tree. If it is on private property, then there are bylaws that govern what you can or can't do to the tree.

 

[destillat]

I'm in Mississauga,
And from what I can gather, according to this link, I can cut the tree down without a permit, but I need to replace it with another tree? WTF?

http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/urbanforestry?paf_gear_id=9700018&itemId=300012

 

[Aardvark154]

Destillat, there certainly are tree relocation services using equipment such as this "tree spade." However, I have no recommendations in Mississauga.

 

[destillat]

Destillat, there certainly are tree relocation services using equipment such as this "tree spade." However, I have no recommendations in Mississauga.

I guess I would have to find a 'buyer' though, right?
I mean, where is the tree going to go?
I figure I can post on CL and see if anyone is interested in taking the tree (all costs picked up by them)... but I don't really see much of a market.

 

[Rockslinger]

Speaking of trees, anybody have any experience with cedars? They seem to be evergreens but do they shed needles and cones like a spruce? I'm looking for a no or very low maintenance tree(s).

 

[Stradler]

A weeping Spruce will not have an extensive root system, so I would suggest getting a well known Landscape company to move the tree. I found this website that might help http://landscapeontario.com/. The best time to move this tree would be either Spring (right now) or in the fall time. Do not move it during the hot days of summer!

Rockslinger,

What type of cedar are you looking for? Making a hedge or an ornimental? Smaller cedars do not have cones, usually small seed pods. Larger cedars can have cones.

 

[Macator2003]

I don't know the Mississauga Tree Bylaw that well, but provided you are only removing the one tree, you do not need a permit and I'm thinking if you don't need a permit, you are not required to plant a replacement tree (although its always a good idea to plant trees, just make sure its a suitable variety and do not plant it too close to a building, walkway or boundary fence).

Measure the tree at around 4.5' in height. You can use a ruler and estimate the diameter or take a fabric tape measure and wrap it around the trunk of the tree at around 4.5' in height (where there are no branches) to get the circumference and then divide by 3 to get the diameter. If the tree is 6" or less, you may want to speak to an expert that has a tree spade. The largest one allowed on the road has an 8' diameter soil ball. MAKE SURE YOU GET LOCATES FIRST to ensure there are no utilities. Most tree spade take a plug of soil roughly 5' deep. Here is a link from the Yellow Pages http://www.yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/Tree+Service/Mississauga

Doug Wood is one of the best. The reputable ones know the bylaws... If its in real good shape, they may give you a discount on the overall price.... If its over 6" in diameter, it cannot be moved (unless you want to have a company hand dig it, which is very expensive.....)

 

[Macator2003]

Rockslinger

Please see the following link from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuja_occidentalis

Cedars in this part of the country are usually White Cedar. Despite its common name, it doesn't belong to the Cedar family. I'd refer to them as low maintenance once they have been in place for a couple of years. For the first year or two, they need plenty of water. Its a good idea to plant them in a decent planting bed -topsoil enhanced with peat moss, garden loam, well rotted manure, some sand.... Its also a good idea to use about 4" of mulch on top to keep the soil moist, the weeds down and the soil temperature cool during the heat of the summer (it also looks good...).

They do shed their leaves after a couple of seasons, but they tend to disappear. The cones are very, very small, they also tend to disappear. If you are keeping them as a hedge, they will need to be pruned annually. Keep them broader at the base. This is for two reasons, it allows more light to get to the bottom, keeping the whole tree/bush full right to the ground. It also holds heavy snow loads better...

 

[Rockslinger]

If you are keeping them as a hedge, they will need to be pruned annually.

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking of planting cedars in the backyard as a privacy screen which will eventually exceed (legally) the Toronto fence height restriction. Also, cedars grow in a cone shape so they don't have branches that spread outward.

 

[Aardvark154]

The only thing with White Cedars is that deer love them, however, if you don't have deer that isn't a problem.

 

[Rockslinger]

The only thing with White Cedars is that deer love them, however, if you don't have deer that isn't a problem.

No deers ---yet. Only raccoons, squirrels, feral cats, grubs, pigeons, coyotes not far away but coming closer, etc.

 

[Stradler]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking of planting cedars in the backyard as a privacy screen which will eventually exceed (legally) the Toronto fence height restriction. Also, cedars grow in a cone shape so they don't have branches that spread outward.

If you want a hedge type screening, stay away from the Pyramid and Emerald type cedars. The best for this is White Cedars (grow about 40 ft) and Black Cedars (harder to find but will grow about 20 feet and are a bit denser.

Strad

 

[Rockslinger]

Black Cedars (harder to find but will grow about 20 feet and are a bit denser.

Black Cedars sound good. How many years from baby to full adulthood of 20 feet?

 

[oldjones]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking of planting cedars in the backyard as a privacy screen which will eventually exceed (legally) the Toronto fence height restriction. Also, cedars grow in a cone shape so they don't have branches that spread outward.

Be careful, cedars come in many, many subspecies, including swamp cedars which are dirt/swamp cheap, grow like weeds and in good conditions like your backyard can grow well over thirty feet shading out their own lower branches which then drop, leaving bare trunks. Planting them or their cousins as a hedge means regular pruning to keep them in control. Put some effort into picking the specific ornamental variety and into picking the landscaper to supply and plant yours.

There are varietals that grow slowly, and top out lower but they're pricier, and even a landscaper can mis-identify them when young. My neighbours bought their house and 3' cedar hedge—pretty ornamental european conical cedars—a couple of years before we bought. The 'nice' cedars are now 15', and still pretty, although beginning to be a shading issue. But among them you can now see a couple of raggedy swampers pushing past them and making for a serious removal job.

 

[Stradler]

Black Cedars sound good. How many years from baby to full adulthood of 20 feet?

With most cedars it takes about three years before you see any substantial growth (they are putting down there root system), after this time they can grow up to a meter a year depending on several conditions (soil, amount of light, drainage, etc.).

Strad