To transplant the Mtn. Ash

[sourdough doug]

What guidelines should I be following when transplanting some Mtn. Ash trees.
Like, how much dirt do I take depending on the height of tree. Would prob. be doing this next month or at the end of this one.

[Zanzibar]

You don't need to be too fussy with them. I got a bunch of little ones in a bucket a few years ago, most of them hardly had any dirt left on the roots and most of them lived. I'll bet they would have all made it if I had the time to water them a bit after they were in the ground.

[walking buffalo]

A general rule is to double the diameter of the trunk, in feet from inches.

eg. 2" trunk = 4' rootball.

What kind of mountain ash, european or western? How old are they?

European will send out greater lateral roots, western are more contained to a taproot.

As mentioned, M. Ash, especially Western ash will take a beatin' and still grow.
I have planted Western ash simply by placing fresh branch cuttings into wet soil.

Young trees move easily, older guys don't like it so much.

If these are older trees, consider doing this first. Partially cut the rootball during summer and then complete the move after the tree has gone dormant for the winter (Oct) or the next spring. This gives the tree a chance to recover from the initial shock, do some healing and even start new roots within the rootball before it is moved.

[sourdough doug]

I'm assuming these must be a western ash cuz they are on my trapline. They are of various size and don't know what size I will take, however I'm glad they are easily moved and will take as much dirt as possible..Thx guys

[walking buffalo]

Sounds like they are probably native Western ash.

Easiest way to tell is the color of the bark.
Western has an olive gold bark and grow columnar unless disturbed (mangled by a bear), while european is red/gold and grows more round or oval....

FYI, a typical westerna ash tree in the wild will grow slowly.
A one inch trunk is a 7-10 year old tree. This size or smaller will be your best choice for transplanting. Dig as deep as you can, get that taproot.