Transplanting a 9-year-old dogwood

How do we go about doing this without killing the tree? We have no choice but to relocate the tree in the spring but after nursing this beauty for 9 years I'm just afraid to kill it.
Any recommendations will be appreciated.

We moved two of them (professional landscape service).  One survived, the other did not.  We were warned by many we would lose both of them.  No advice really other than hope for the best but understand a lot of times trees just don't survive the move.

You may have had the tree for 9 years, but the tree is older than that. It looks like it is too late in the season to do it.  Here's some information I found on the interweb:

How to Transplant a Dogwood TreeRead more at Gardening Know How: Dogwood Tree Transplanting: How And When To Move A Dogwood http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-tree-transplanting.htm

When to Move a Dogwood Dogwood tree transplanting should be done when they are dormant. This would be when the leaves have dropped and before bud break. Provided your soil is workable, this could be in the middle of winter, but northern gardeners will have to wait until early spring. Transplanting dogwoods earlier can damage the plant’s health because the sap is actively running and any injury to the roots can invite rot and disease, or even girdle the plant. 

A good idea to maximize the health of the tree and prevent transplant shock is to root prune. This is done the season before you will move the tree. Prune the roots in October for an early spring transplant. Cut a trench around the root zone that you desire, severing any roots outside the circle. The size of the root ball varies dependent on the size of the tree. Clemson Cooperative Extension has a root ball sizing table available online. 

After the winter season is nearly over, it is time to transplant the tree. Tie up any errant growth to protect branches. It is a good idea to dig the hole first, but if you don’t, wrap the root ball in moist burlap. Use a sharp spade to cut around the area where you root pruned and then under-cut the tree at a 45-degree angle. Place the soil and root ball on the burlap and tie it around the base of the trunk. Dig the hole twice as large and twice as deep as the root ball with a hill of dirt at the center base. Unwrap the tree and spread the roots out. Back fill, taking care to use the substrate soil first and then the topsoil. Pack the soil around the roots. A good method is to water in the soil so it sinks around the roots. Fill up to the original soil line and water well to pack the soil. Keep the tree well watered until it establishes. Don’t panic if it loses a few leaves, as it will perk up in no time. Read more at Gardening Know How: Dogwood Tree Transplanting: How And When To Move A Dogwood http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-tree-transplanting.htm

Good luck.

If it's THIS spring: I'm guessing (GUESSING) that the bigger the root ball, the better. Which suggests not a spade^^^^, but  mechanized equipment. 

This Old House may have had an episode demonstrating this, and conceivably it might be archived for viewing now.

I did say I was guessing. They used a spade even as the forklift was used for the conifer.

The "bare root" compressed air excavation method looks interesting.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20716323,00.html

Hi Caba,  

I have an extensive background in whole sale tree nursery production for over 14 years and currently work for a very large tree and plant health care company in Doylestown PA.  I have a degree in this field and would be willing to take a look at the work and do the job if it is a viable option.  The information above is correct in the fact  that you want to move them when dormant either after leave drop or before bud break in the spring.  To up your success rate they should be root pruned the season before the tree is moved.  

We just transplanted it and we'll see what happens. I will post any news. Thank you all for all the info. I do not have high hopes but we'll do our best to try to save it.