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  Daniela McGhie December 10, 2016 at 8:46pm

  Well if you do move it you would need to dig deep and get all of the root ball out.

  Any time is OK as long as ground not frozen or too dry.

  Personally as its not a super specimen of tree just tell her to buy a new one.

  I would take the little twigs off to just above the smaller cypresses next to it, to give them and the hedge some light.

  The cypresses are too close to one another and eventually some will turn brown and unsightly. Just have a look inside and you will see what I mean. 
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  john jones December 10, 2016 at 10:24pm

  I've moved bigger than that successfully - it can be done.  You want a good root ball but you are governed by the weight that you can physically shift. You can dig a ramp to drag it out, then get it on a tarp or ton bag to skid it on. The hardest bit can be moving it without breaking branches. Someone to help, even just to hold it upright, would be very good. Then it depends how far you have to move it. I would use a winch to help - that's ok if you've got one, and somewhere to anchor it. Getting it stood up properly in it's new hole can be interesting as well.

  Basically it's hard work with no guarantee of success. I would emphasise this very strongly and recommend a new tree, especially if it's a new client and not someone you already know and work for. Or I'd say I'd take it out - which they clearly want anyway, and then see how it goes as regards the move and replant. Without seeing it properly I'd say it's at the very least a day and a half of work. Don't be cheap it's hard graft. If you do do it then do it now or as soon as possible. (Saying all that, sometimes these jobs can go much easier than you think, and it's a great sense of achievement when it works.)
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  Andrew Midgley December 11, 2016 at 9:41am

  It can be moved but emphasise that it might not survive and cheaper to buy a new one. I have moved a number of trees and I would guess around 90% success rate. First thing to do is remove the palm and get the hole dug out in readiness for transplanting the other tree. Get as much of the rootball as possible and transplant as quickly as possible. I would nip off any damaged roots prior to planting and use microrhyza fungi (Root Grow) to encourage the roots to grow. Back fill and water it in. A stake should be used with a proper tree tie and finally mulch around the base with well rotted wood chips. Water deeply throughout it first year during hot spells.
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  Phil Voice December 11, 2016 at 9:49am

  It may be too pricey but consider hiring in a tree spade.

  http://www.benburgess.co.uk/hire/treespade.aspx

  
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    Steven Mills > Phil Voice December 11, 2016 at 9:57am

    Haha,yes I saw one of those being used on a YouTube video where some guy was moving a huge specimen of the same variety.

    I think space is too limited to get one of those in unless they come smaller.

    Thanks
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  Steven Mills December 11, 2016 at 9:54am

  Thanks so much for your helpful replies.I think I'm more inclined to tell the customer that getting a new one would be a better option but if she's determined to go ahead then I'd have to allow for at least a days work for 2 to get it done.

  How tough to get out is that palm likely to be do you think? Would its presence there have made the soil unsuitable for the other tree to go in?
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    Andrew Midgley > Steven Mills December 11, 2016 at 10:20am

    Use a mattock it will be quick work to dig out that palm as it shallow rooted
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  David Benson December 11, 2016 at 11:08pm

  it looks like it will be too close to the drive if you transplant it where the palm is