Relocate them before they start to bud in spring
As we start to emerge out of winter and into spring, trees and shrubs are beginning to develop a green fuzz as their branches fill up with new leaves once again. This means it’s your last call for bare root planting, and also for moving young trees and shrubs that have been in the ground for less than five years – any longer and they are unlikely to re-establish well in their new spot.
I have moved several that have failed to thrive or been crowded out in their original spot and it is a relatively simple operation, though you may need another person to help you.
Choose a day that is forecast to be overcast and without too much wind, and start by watering the tree/shrub generously 24 hours in advance.
First of all dig a hole where you want the plant to move to, and fork in lots of well-rotted compost or manure with added bone meal. Then dig widely around the root area (generally as wide as the longest branches) and dig down until all the roots are freed – this may take some hard work.
If it is a bushy shrub, tie the branches with twine to make it easier to manoeuvre, then carefully lift the whole plant from the ground and wrap its roots in plastic to prevent them drying out.
Replant as quickly as you can, supporting the tree with a stake and infilling around it with soil and compost and treading it down as you go to form the ground and remove air pockets. Finally, water well and mulch the root area, with compost or manure (keeping it off the trunk so it doesn’t soften the bark) or a woollen mulch mat.
Keep the soil damp while the tree is settling in and check the support is doing its job, especially in spring storms.
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