Digging a Live Oak Tree

Prepare the live oak for transplant in winter when it is dormant. Run a garden hose at the base of the tree for 15 to 20 minutes the day before digging it up to loosen the soil and hydrate the roots.

Measure a 10-inch radius around the base of the live oak using a measuring tape. Etch out the radial line onto the soil to use as a guide when digging up the tree.

Dig along the radial line using a sharpshooter shovel, which has a straight, 18-inch-long blade suited to deep digging. Press the blade into the soil to its full length.

Work the sharpshooter shovel blade around the radial line several times to sever any lateral roots attaching the live oak to the surrounding soil.

Press the sharpshooter shovel blade into the soil on one side of the live oak. Pull the shovel's handle back toward your chest to pry the roots loose. Repeat this at equal distances around the live oak.

Lift the live oak from the hole. Crumble off half the soil from around the roots. Wrap the rootball in wet burlap to keep it moist until you are ready to transplant it. Fill in the hole left by the live oak with soil.

Transplant the live oak into a 5-gallon nursery container. Remove the wet burlap. Place the rootball in the container. Fill in around the edges with soil. Pack the soil firmly around the roots to remove any trapped air.

Place the live oak in a partially shaded spot until the following autumn. Transplant the tree into a permanent bed with full sun and fertile, well-draining soil once daytime temperatures drop below 55 F.