Instant Tree Gratification

In an age when changing homes happens regularly and keeping up with the Jones seems never ending it is hard not to let instant gratification become your motivating factor in how you install your landscape.  Particularly if money is not an issue, it is tempting to go big.  Why wouldn't bigger be better in the tree world? Consider this.  Now a days, companies have access to machines called tree spades that dig up an entire mature tree in one scoop. (There is a point when the tree and it's roots are just too big to spade)  The spading process is costly and hard on the tree. Inevitably the roots are cut or damaged to some extent causing shock. The more shock incurred the harder it is to recover. In fact it is determined that for each caliber inch of tree you have a year of recovery from transplanting no matter how it is dug. A 6" diameter tree will take 6 years to rebound from the move. A 2" tree takes 2 years to recover and, can then begin to establish and grow healthy. Thus a smaller tree can over take the health of a larger tree transplanted at the same time. Is the cost of the tree and the time spent nursing it into establishment worth the size of the tree?  Weigh the pros and cons of your goals, desires and area. Decide what is best for you and the tree.