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How to Remove a Root Ball

How to Remove a Root Ball

The compact mass of soil and roots forms the root ball. If you want to do some landscaping…

Nov 15,2022

The compact mass of soil and roots forms the root ball. If you want to do some landscaping projects that entail transferring plants from one place to another, it is important to ensure it remains intact. This is easy when dealing with small plants, but removing huge plants requires professional help. At Sesmas Tree Service, we have a professional team of tree service providers ready to help you remove a plant’s root ball and provide pertinent information for a successful DIY project. Failing to remove the root ball properly can compromise the plant’s well-being, hence the need to work with a reputable tree care company.

How to Remove a Root Ball

Why Should You Remove a Root Ball?

As mentioned, the root ball is essential for a tree’s survival. With that in mind, it is crucial to ensure trees grow naturally. However, roots can damage essential utilities and infrastructure, so consult a tree service provider to prevent costly repairs. Many homeowners grow plants in pots before transferring the entire mass of soil and roots to the ground, allowing for strategic planting to mitigate such issues.

Roots can damage utility lines above and beneath the ground, especially if it is partially uprooted during a storm. In such cases, hire a tree care company to remove the root ball and plant the tree elsewhere rather than chop it up. We leverage standard industry equipment to carefully remove a root ball and safely plant the tree in another suitable space. If you are considering a DIY root ball removal, some tools you need include loopers, a spade, a grub hoe, a root saw, and a tractor with a blade attachment.

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Guide to Remove a Root Ball

The first step is to measure the trunk’s circumference to help determine the width and depth you should dig. Professional tree service providers recommend digging 12 inches in width for every inch of the diameter. Once you have the measurements, dig the soil to remove the tree ball. However, if you prefer a hands-off approach, you should onboard a tree care company for professional help.

After extracting the root ball, we prefer setting it on a thick trap before wrapping it to prevent root damage and keep moisture. This goes a long way in keeping the entire plant safe as you transfer it to a new location. If you are unsure where to replant it, you can rely on us to do all the heavy lifting. We uphold maximum professionalism, from removing the root ball to preparing the designated area and replanting. Check if the trunk is upright before filling the hole and saturating the planting site with water.

Hire an Arborist

Like most living things, plants need regular care and maintenance to maintain optimal health. Whether you are moving a small or huge tree, we have the experience and tools to do the job. Avoid property damages and injuries associated with DIY projects by hiring a professional tree care company. Contact us at Sesmas Tree Service, and schedule an appointment with the best in the business. We aim to help you improve the health and quality of your landscape without breaking the bank.

Customer Reviews

3 large Leyland Cypress trees removed near front of our home. Excellent service, professional crew, very competitive pricing for superior work! Rolando provided the initial estimate and the  follow up and was the best in terms of customer relations. I'd both use this company again AND highly recommend them.

Susan Hitchcock

This is the 2nd time we have used Sesmas Tree Service. They are a wonderful company to deal with. They were on time, professional, and very thorough. They cleaned up prior to leaving and went out of their way to protect our plants and landscaping. And they kept to their proposal with no hidden cost or add ons. Definitely a five star experience!

Gene McFadden

Wow!  I deal with tree services in my professional work and I can honestly say Sesmas is by far the most professional, best equipped, efficient, safety conscious, and communicative service I've ever encountered.  Their price was very reasonable and they even went so far as to include additional work without increasing the price.  Call them!  Now! They are very quick to respond.

Scott McLendon

We've used Sesmas several times and have always received excellent service.  Estimates are quick and easy and the crew is efficient and leaves the property clean of debris.  Recently we needed a tree removed next to a heavily landscaped area.  Sebastian went over everything with me in detail and listened to my concerns.  The crew did an excellent job in removing the tree with minimal disturbance to the surrounding area.  We are pleased and will consider them again in the future for pruning and tree removal.

Tonia Griswold

Sesmas Tree Service was amazing! I had two dead trees cut and a lot of trees that were already down on my property removed. Sebastian came out and sent the quote in writing within 24 hours. We were in the process of scheduling the service when a slot opened up sooner snd I was able to go ahead and get the work done. Everything was explained ahead of time for what to expect. The crew was very efficient and professional.  All of the work and cleanup was done in one day. I would recommend Sesmas for your tree cutting/cleanup needs.

LaDora Woods

I hired Sesmas to cut down a very tricky tree that was hanging over my house as well as a few large limbs. They did a great job and had the machinery to get the job done right.

Perry Hartman

Great experience with Sesmas. They were meticulous with my tree removal, safe and efficient. David’s communication throughout the process was much appreciated. Highly recommend!

Lindsay Ellenburg

Great experience with Sesmas Tree Service. The arborist who came out was a Board Certified Master Arborist, and you could immediately tell he knew his stuff. He took the time to explain what needed to be done, gave us clear options, and helped us feel confident from start to finish. The whole process was easy and professional. We’ll definitely use them again.

Ed Martin

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