Easy Tips for Moving Trees and Shrubs

We all did, planted a tree, shrub, or vine somewhere in the garden, only to find, a few years later, that It was in the totally wrong spot. Usually, it is due to becoming too large and exceeding the allotted space. So can you transplant it to another place?

It is very easy to dig and move most small trees, shrubs, and vines to a more suitable location. Young, small plants (usually up to five years old) generally move smoothly, but old, well-established plants may not recover from the impact of transplanting, so this can be a bit risky. But if you have to, you have to.

The best time to move deciduous plants is when they have lost their leaves and are fully dormant, usually anytime from late October / November to late February.

Evergreen transplanting is best in October or late March when the relatively warm soil will allow your roots to quickly re-establish themselves.

Prepare early to move trees and shrubs

Whenever possible, before lifting and moving, start by pruning up to one-third to one-half of the stems and top growth; This will reduce the stress on the roots of the plant and thus aid in a more successful reestablishment.

The day before the move, water the soil around the plant well. This will ensure that the roots are fully loaded with moisture and reduce stress.

Day change

When you're ready to move the plant, scoop out as many root clods as possible so that you, or you and a friend or two, can safely lift and move. Ideally, this should be as wide as the length of the branches.

Get the new hole ready so you can transplant it right away. This should be the expected root spread width, plus an additional 30-45 cm (12-18 in.). Fork the bottom of the hole and add some rotten and bulky organic matter.

Replant in the prepared hole, adding more organic material and a little well-mixed in bone meal to the excavated soil so that the root clod is at the same level as originally and is covered with no more than 2.5 cm of soil. Firm the soil around the root while filling the hole.

Tall shrubs and trees may need cuttings to help keep the roots secure while the plant re-establishes itself.

Finally, water well after the move and for the first year during prolonged dry spells, and mulch the soil to retain soil moisture.

Moving mature trees and shrubs

Very mature plants should be prepared a year in advance to have a better chance of re-establishing themselves.

Dig a circular trench around the plant one thorn wide and one or two skewers deep, in line with the spreading branches anytime from November to February.

Fill the trench with sharp sand to stimulate fibrous roots, which will help the plant re-establish itself quickly when you move it next year.