Big Tree Transplanting in Oklahoma City: Large-Scale Specimen Relocation and Mature Tree Moving
Big Tree Transplanting is a specialized tree moving company serving the Oklahoma City metro area, focusing on relocating mature and specimen trees too large or valuable for standard removal and replanting. Unlike general tree services that remove or trim, this operation moves established trees, often 40+ years old, from one site to another, preserving existing canopy and landscape character on residential and commercial properties across central Oklahoma.
What Big Tree Transplanting actually does
The company uses hydraulic spade equipment and heavy machinery to excavate, transport, and replant trees in the 30- to 100-foot height range. Rather than waiting years for a newly planted sapling to reach mature size, property owners use this service to relocate specimen oaks, maples, and elms already established on their land, or to source and move large trees from clearance sites to new developments and estates. The work requires specialized equipment, licensed operators, and knowledge of root ball sizing, soil conditions in the Oklahoma City area, and species-specific transplant success rates. Big Tree Transplanting holds the expertise to assess whether a given tree can survive the move and how to maximize post-transplant establishment.
Services and pricing
Pricing depends on tree species, height, root ball diameter, distance moved, and site difficulty. A 40-foot oak with a root ball of 8 to 10 feet in diameter typically costs $3,500 to $6,500 to dig, move, and plant within Oklahoma City or nearby suburbs. Taller specimens or those requiring crane access and extra soil preparation can exceed $8,000. The company conducts a site visit to assess the tree and provide a formal estimate. Services include pre-move consulting to confirm the tree's viability for transplant, excavation with root ball protection, transport on specialized tree spades or flatbeds, replanting in prepared soil, and initial staking and mulching. Many jobs include soil amendment suited to Oklahoma City's clay-heavy conditions and post-transplant watering guidance. Verify current pricing directly, as equipment and labor costs shift seasonally.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City tree services
General tree removal companies like those operating throughout Oklahoma City handle cutting, chipping, and disposal but do not transplant mature trees; they see specimen trees as material for removal. Nurseries and landscape firms can install new trees from inventory but cannot move 50-year-old native oaks. Big Tree Transplanting fills a narrower niche, suited to owners who have an established tree they want to relocate, or developers acquiring salvageable mature stock from land clearance. Standard landscaping firms handle design and ongoing maintenance; Big Tree Transplanting is a one-time, highly specialized intervention. Choose Big Tree Transplanting when you need a mature tree moved or rescued; choose a general arborist when you need a tree removed or trimmed in place.
Who this service suits and who it does not
This service suits property owners in Oklahoma City who have an older specimen tree on land slated for development or renovation and want to preserve it elsewhere on the property or donate it to a new site. Developers clearing land for commercial or residential projects sometimes use the service to salvage valuable trees rather than chip them. Estates and high-end residential properties use it to install mature trees that would take decades to grow from nursery stock. It does not suit owners looking for routine tree care, trimming, or removal, or those wanting to plant a typical new landscape with young trees. The service is also not practical for trees in poor health, those with diseases, or species with shallow or fragile root systems that do not tolerate transplant well.
What the first visit involves
The company visits the site to evaluate the tree or trees in question, assess soil conditions, measure height and canopy spread, inspect root health if excavation is already underway, and identify obstacles like utilities, structures, and access routes. They discuss the intended destination, planting timeline, and post-transplant care expectations. This consultation results in a formal estimate with a timeline for the move. Owners should have clarity on utility locations (call 811 before digging) and confirm soil or fill conditions at both origin and destination.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Big Tree Transplanting operates by appointment only; they do not maintain a public facility or retail location. Scheduling is typically 2 to 6 weeks out depending on season and crew availability. The work happens on-site at the property where the tree is being moved from and planted to. Verify current contact information and scheduling availability by phone or through the company directly.
Big Tree Transplanting serves a specific, practical need in Oklahoma City's development and landscape preservation: it makes moving mature trees feasible, turning what would otherwise be logged as waste into preserved assets for new properties across the metro area.
