Probably have to go freight truck on a pallet , it's not as bad as you might think , and you could simply shrink wrap it really well and not mess with crates and boxes. When you go freight you buy a 4x4 spot on the truck from roof to floor , request them to not stack it on anything or to stack anything on it ( just in case ) you can also save by picking it up at the freight companies hub as opposed to home delivery which most common carriers won't do anyway and is expensive . Use a nationally known company that operates in your region . I've had skids of hickory and red oak shipped to me here in Idaho from Minnesota and that's a lot of weight only around $160.00