Moving established plants

Gaspode

Hi all,
I will be moving home in about 18 months and would like to take some of the established plants with me when I go if possible. I've been working this garden for over 20 years so have quite an attachment to some of the plants I've put in and cared for.
In particular I'd like to transplant a dwarf apple tree which has been producing great crops in the last few years. The apples from it are amazing - small but packed with flavour.

There are various shrubs I really like (potentilla, hypericum, caryopteris, etc) and a well established climbing honeysuckle that I'd also love to take with me.

Do you think it is worth the effort of transplanting or would it be easier/more successful to buy new and start all over again? The new garden has been abandoned for many many years so is going to need a lot of prep to get it ready for plants, but I'll have plenty of time to do that before I move.

Emeralda

You can move most of the plants but it's best to ask a specialist to do it otherwise you may as well totally destroy your plants. Just got into a discussion on another forum re this, asked a friend of mine who is a professional gardener/landscaper, it looks like it does require skill and knowledge to do it. I can PM you the phone no if you ever decide to ask for help

looksee

Its a tempting thing to do, and can be done with some plants. Some are just not worth it. Things like potentilla and hypericum, unless they are special varieties are not worth transplanting. You could take some cuttings or offshoots, plant them up into pots and take a chance on them. Or just purchase new ones.

I have moved a big honeysuckle and it was successful. Cut a lot of the top off, (it will grow again pretty fast once it is settled) lift it with as much soil and root as possible and 'pot' it up in a large strong sack with some holes in the bottom. You can pull in the top to conserve moisture, but don't forget to water it, and protect the roots from frost.

I have never tried to move an apple tree, you could try much the same treatment as above (though don't cut branches off) and hope for the best.

I suggest if you are going to do this leave it till next winter if you can, but remove the plants before you start showing the house for sale.

Gaspode

Cheers, will probably work on the other garden this year so to get it ready for planting, and chance my arm moving the existing plants next winter.

macraignil

I have read that if you are moving established trees and shrubs it is an idea to do some root pruning beforehand. A tree that has been growing in the same place for a number of years will have very long roots stretching deep into the soil. By digging a trench around the tree to be moved cutting the roots as you go and refilling it with soil and compost the tree is encouraged to form more roots closer to the plant. If it is two years before the tree is to be moved the roots on one side of the tree could be pruned first and the other side pruned the following year. The idea is to lessen the shock of having too big an area of root cut at the same time when the plant is being moved and give the plant a more compact root ball that can be transported easier.

I just moved a ten year old oak tree that was stuck under a hedge of beech and hawthorn because it was not going to be able to grow properly where it was. I had to cut the deepest parts of the root as there was no way I could dig out the full root ball. I think it should still do well in its new spot and I think our wet weather makes transplanting in Ireland easier than many other places. The main thing I reckon is to give good support for the plants you move so they don't get wind damage in their new position before the roots have had time to settle again.

macraignil

I have read that if you are moving established trees and shrubs it is an idea to do some root pruning beforehand. A tree that has been growing in the same place for a number of years will have very long roots stretching deep into the soil. By digging a trench around the tree to be moved cutting the roots as you go and refilling it with soil and compost the tree is encouraged to form more roots closer to the plant. If it is two years before the tree is to be moved the roots on one side of the tree could be pruned first and the other side pruned the following year. The idea is to lessen the shock of having too big an area of root cut at the same time when the plant is being moved and give the plant a more compact root ball that can be transported easier.

I just moved a ten year old oak tree that was stuck under a hedge of beech and hawthorn because it was not going to be able to grow properly where it was. I had to cut the deepest parts of the root as there was no way I could dig out the full root ball. I think it should still do well in its new spot and I think our wet weather makes transplanting in Ireland easier than many other places. The main thing I reckon is to give good support for the plants you move so they don't get wind damage in their new position before the roots have had time to settle again.