Re: hints for moving a large shrub (cross posted)

Now is not the best time to move woody material that has not been root 
pruned, but timing is some times out of our control.  
The shrubs that loose there leaves in the fall should be trimmed back heavily 
(1/2 0r a little more) 
First dig the new holes and have those locations all ready for planting 
before you remove the plants.  You do not want the roots to dry out at all 
after digging so it should be out of one hole and into the new one in as 
little time as possible.

If your soil is good your shrubs might have a good root system with many 
small feeder roots near the surface-try to save as many of those as possible 
by removing a large surface area of soil, cut the deeper heaver roots as far 
down as possible buy they are not as important as the smaller roots.

If your soil is poor your plants will not have to many of the feeder roots 
and you will have to remove the shrubs with as much of the root system as you 
can. 

You might be able to make a root ball but most likely that will not work 
unless you root pruned the shrubs a few months ago-the trick is not how much 
soil you move but the amount of undamaged root structure you move.

Plant your removed shrubs right away and fill in with good fine soils- (no 
peatmoss) water in well so there are no large air pockets left in the soil, 
it is also helpful to use a transplanting/rooting liquid but no fertilizer.

Keep the plants watered well untill the ground freezes.

For plants that are evergreen use a spray that prevents the leaves from 
drying out and or cover with burlap sack over the winter.

The main problem with moving woody plants this late in the year is that they 
do not have a root system that can replace water lost during late fall and 
winter and the tissue dries out and dies-so die back might be a problem.  The 
sooner you get it done the better-unless the temps are very high, new root 
growth should start in two weeks.

Try to save as many of the small surface roots as you can-the large deep 
roots are less important. 

Paul

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