Transporting an acer tree

I have bought a fairly large acer and need to transport it around 50 miles on the back of a pick up truck. Ideally the tree would stand up on the back but the wind would be quite strong as I would be driving at around 50mph. Could I wrap it in a sheet and tie it up or would that break the delicate branches? Should I lie the tree on its side and throw a sheet over it or would that break the branches?

Any suggestions please.

 

Hoofy, firstly what a great purchase
I would lay it down and cover it with a sheet weighed down at the edges. No way would I stand it up....you would have no foliage left at all

 

If you have a tow bar, hire or borrow a box trailor

 

That's what I was thinking but this morning I have thought of another possibility.

I have 2 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood that I could stand up and fasten to the headboard so that would give me 8 foot in height wind break. I could also wrap a sheet around the plywood that could cover the tree and then weigh the sheet down at the edges?

 

No tow bar and I've got to do the job this afternoon so no time to make better plans.

 

Not something I would do. As @Jiffy says, a box trailer or van (hired?) would be best. Too much turbulence any other way.

 

Hmmm hoofy!
If the hardboard blew ...there would be a lot of wind gusting around at speed...it could damage the tree considerably
Good luck ...let us know how it goes. Will look fantastic when planted

 

Cover the top of the tub with something like plastic sheeting or several bin bags and tape it down securely to stop the soil coming out when you lay it down. Lay it down tub first and support it to stop it rolling around, then cover it with a sheet.
Why drive at 50?
Drive at 40 in the inside lane.

 

We have a win.





From Harrogate to Preston with the loss of around half a dozen leaves. Other than that the tree is as it was this morning.

Laid down on the truck with a sheet over and big rocks holding the sheet down.

 

Hey! Superb hoofy
Well done

 

Can anyone tell me which type of acer it is, exactly?

The lady I bought it off told me it was 12 years old and she grew it from a very small plant. Would it have been grafted?

 

Don’t know hoofy....you should see signs of grafting though.
DHR is the acer expert here so hopefully he can suggest a name

 

How about George or Charlie?

Sorry! I can't recognise it.

 

Acer palmatum seiryu, I'm told.

Should I wait for the autumn to plant it in the ground, or with the right preparation could I do it now as long as I keep watering it through the summer?

 

Just to be absolutely safe I would wait until autumn before planting it out hoofy
Just in case it’s root bound, or the soil falls away etc.
Worth a little patience and get it right