the bigger you go.. the harder ... exponentially .. it will be.. to get the larger to survive ...

its all about how much root mass you have to cut off... and how much is left.. so as to be able to water the plant that you moved ...

some suggest.. that a tree is twice as big underground.. as above .... so on a 4 footer.. if you dig a 2 foot wide bunch of roots.. maybe you end up with 50% ...

if you do the same for a 8 footer ... to make the math easy .... you end up with what.. 25% ... and a lot more green that needs water ...

then it becomes a function.. should you be able to water enough to offset such.. how many years.. it will take the plant to regrow the lost root mass.. and become fully established ...

frankly.. on pines.. its not worth it ... most grow many feet per year.. and the smaller transplant.. will GET OVER IT ... 'it' being the move.. faster.. and return to its proper annual growth ... so that in just a few years.. the smaller will outgrow the larger ...

heck.. to tell you the truth.. i wouldnt even bother with 4 footers.. i would go for 2 footers ... which will recover in a year or two.. and really get moving ...

plus.. the smaller you go.. the easier it becomes .. and you can do more.. faster ...

work smart.. not hard ... eh??

ken