Conifer removal?

[dilettante]

For some reason or another a previous tenant has planted a conifer in one of the beds. I can't understand the reasoning behind its placing, and I am going to get it out.... somehow. If at all possible I would like to bring it home, since it would actually be appreciated here. Any ideas folks? It's about 3-4 feet tall, with sprawling roots. I don't think it's going to survived me trying to dig it up probably.

[Martin H]

This is the best time of year to move a conifer. Just dig it up with as much root as you can, wrap the roots immediately to stop them drying out too much, get it home and planted as soon as you can. Then make sure you keep it well watered next spring and summer.

Looks like it could be a good bonsai subject...

[Bigmallly]

If you had a solid structure nearby, one of these would be handy, I've pulled up many a stump with mine:

[Bonsai Si]

Prepare a bag for the tree once it's dug out and have some water on hand.

Dig a perimeter a good few spade widths out from the trunk, as mentioned above trying to get as much of the rootball as possible.

Steady but quick and get it back in the ground as soon as you can, water very well and try and shade/protect it from the wind for a while.

[dilettante]

Bonsai Si, I'm not sure I have anywhere in the ground shaded or sheltered that I would want to put it. Not if it's going to stay there. I think I can get someone to help me move it pretty quickly once it's up at least. When it's replanted, do I need to spread the roots out, or can I just plant them in a big hole with the tree?

[Bill HH]

I moved a large conifer tree (at least 15feet high) using a jcb to lift the root ball in one go, then transport it to its new site, it was watered all the next summer and it took well. The tragedy was that a few years later I sold a 40 foot caravan that was nearby, to a scrap man and he (without my permission) set fire to it, the resulting inferno killed half of the tree

[Bonsai Si]

Bonsai Si, I'm not sure I have anywhere in the ground shaded or sheltered that I would want to put it. Not if it's going to stay there. I think I can get someone to help me move it pretty quickly once it's up at least. When it's replanted, do I need to spread the roots out, or can I just plant them in a big hole with the tree?

If the place you want to put it is exposed to the winds, put up a temporary windbreak till it settles?

As for the roots, every tree is different, so see what rootball you get when you dig it up. Try and keep a good quantity of the soil it comes up with, bare rooting a conifer for this process isn't great for the tree.