Moving a cherry tree

[Abzsghoulute]

I have an Amanagawa cherry tree that was given to me by my dad when we bought our first house. It's now ten years old, 3m tall. Can I move it?

I really want to take it with us when we move, as my dad has died it has sentimental value, but am I likely to kill it?

The best way to do this is over two years.
This winter, cut a trench around the tree in a circle about 1m-2m from the tree trunk. Cut down with a sharp spade severing through the roots to about a foot down.

The remaining roots will form a more fibrous ball within the trenched circle.
Next winter you can lift the whole thing knowing that you will have hopefully about 50% of the roots intact. You'll still have to cut through the taproot but the tree will have enough auxiliary roots to get it established in its next location.

Oh dear. If I have two months rather than two years?

We've seen a house that could be a forever house, but we'd have to sell asap and don't suppose any buyer would let me come back for the tree next year...

If you have to move it now, the bigger the root ball, the better.
However I moved two trees of a similar age last winter, using a digger with a bucket to get as large a root ball as possible.
One survived, one didn't.

Watering is also key - not just after planting itself, but throughout the year after planting. A large bucket a week every week, especially on the hot summer weeks when more will be necessary.
Get it though the first year and you should be fine.

I know nothing about moving trees but would taking a cutting be possible as a back up plan?

A cutting wouldn't work in this case, as all cherry trees are grafted.

Therefore the head of the tree, which gives the blossom and leaves, may have come from a specimen which grows to an enormous size before flowering.

The tree trunk is the part that dictates the eventual size and habit of the tree.

It's the same with apples and pears.

I fear this may not work. No chance of a digger, the side passage to the house is barely big enough for a barrow.

Oh it's so difficult with treasured plants.
I have a gingko tree in a pot which really needs planting out but I won't do it as I haven't arrived at my forever house yet.

Although I have been at this one for 11 years!

Update: We have moved to the hopefully forever house and the tree is in its new place.

It had very little in the way of roots. Two big roots going out sideways (cut before christmas) and a small root ball. This is good because the new house is built on glacial moraine, meaning any hole deeper than a foot and a bit needs a JCB. Also bad, as there's not much to get going again with.

It has come into bud with the big roots cut, so I'm going to hope for the best. And give it lots of water, and pray for no spring storms or snow.