How to Transplant a Cherry Laurel

Cherry laurels are shrubs or small trees with evergreen leaves that can grow up to 40 feet high and 25 feet wide, although most of them are smaller than that. They are most often grown in the warm southern regions and the wet west coast regions of the United States. If you have planted your cherry laurel in a spot where it is not thriving or you simply do not like it in its current position, you may want to transplant it. Cherry laurels transplant easily, as long as the plant is relatively young and you have the correct knowledge on how to transplant a tree.

Things You'll Need

• Spade
• Burlap
• Water
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Assess the situation in late summer a year before transplantation. Choose a transplantation site for the cherry laurel. They thrive best in areas with partial shade and well-drained soil that is not too acidic. Do not transplant to a site that is much different from the original site, as the shock may kill the plant.

2. Prune the root system at this time if your cherry laurel is larger than four feet. Use a spade and make cuts right below the edge of the tree's branches around its circumference. Allow the dirt to stay in place until next year.

3. Prepare your cherry laurel for transplantation in the late summer or early fall. Tie up any low branches to prevent them from injury. Dig the plant out of its hole, using the same lines you used for root pruning earlier. For shrubs larger than four feet tall, it may be easier to form a trench around the shrub about 15 to 24 inches deep so you can get the right angle to cut the major roots underneath.

4. Take the plant out of its hole, keeping as much soil around the roots as possible, and wrap the root ball in burlap. Do not let the cherry laurel's roots dry out before transplanting it.

5. Prepare the transplantation site. Dig a hole the height of the root ball and two to three times its width. Pour water into the hole if the soil is dry.

6. Transport the cherry laurel to the new site carefully. Take the burlap off of the roots and place it in the hole, making sure all the roots are not cramped. Fill the soil back into the hole.

7. Care for the plant properly to ensure that it stays healthy after the transplantation. Water the cherry laurel immediately, giving it a good soaking. Make sure the soil does not dry out, and water deeply every 10 to 14 days if there is not enough rainfall. Place a two- to three-inch layer of mulch around the plant to protect the roots and retain moisture. Prune any dead branches from the tree.

References

• North Dakota State University: Transplanting Trees and Shrubs
• Fort Valley State University College of Agriculture: Transplanting Trees
• University of Florida Environmental Horticulture: Cherry-laurel