Things You'll Need:
- Spades
- Sphagnum Moss
- Burlap
- Wooden Boards
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Step 1
Root the plant a year before you plan to move it. Using a sharp spade, dig a trench around the plant that is about two feet deep and as wide as the spade. In the process, you will sever the roots. The trench should be three to four feet from a small tree or shrub, five to eight feet from a larger one.
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Step 2
Fill the trench with sphagnum moss. The plant will form a compact root system inside the boundary and will be better able to withstand the move.
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Step 3
Prune the plant well several weeks before transplanting. (See Related eHows.)
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Step 4
Wait until you are ready to move the plant, and then dig a trench in a circle at least a foot from the crown. Dig down at least two feet, separating a ball of earth that includes the roots.
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Step 5
Rock the ball gently back and forth until it moves loosely, and you can lift it out of the hole. Use a board for leverage, and get help for this part of the process - even small shrubs are heavy.
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Step 6
Set the plant and its ball of soil on a piece of burlap, wrap the burlap around the soil to keep it from crumbling, and move it to a spot protected from sun and strong winds. Remember to slide the plant, never roll it, and take care not to let it drop - roots are fragile.
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Step 7
Wait at least two weeks before replanting. Meanwhile, keep the plant in its sheltered spot and water often and gently, keeping the soil moist.








Comments
ababab said
on 5/19/2009 every other article I read says to put the tree into the new hole ASAP after digging it out of the ground - why does this author suggest waiting two weeks?>
iamageniuster said
on 11/4/2008 Nice article. I like it!