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When can I transplant conifers?
Digging should be done when the soil is moist and when the plant is not under moisture stress. If transplanting in the fall, conifers move best early (late August through September) and hardwoods move better after they are dormant.
How do you dig up a small conifer?
Conifers are shallow rooted so at that size it should be fairly easy. Dig around as much as possible to loosen the roots. Then trim the branches off so you can get at the trunk then you can use that to get more leverage to pull/push it over.
When can small evergreens be transplanted?
Early spring (before growth begins) and fall (after leaf drop) are the best times to transplant deciduous trees. Evergreens are most successfully transplanted in early spring and late summer (late August to mid-September).
Can conifers be dug up and replanted?
When you dig up a conifer or evergreen shrub it is important to keep as large a ball of roots as possible. Because conifers’ roots are likely to be wider than they are deep, don’t push your spade close to the trunk or the centre of the shrub. After you have dug right round the plant, run your spade underneath it.
Are conifers deep rooted?
Although conifer roots are shallow, they spread up to seven times as wide as they mature. Seek professional guidance if you’re unsure, it’s important not to plant within root distance of drains, driveways or the foundations of a property.
When can I transplant conifers in spring?
If the conifer is to be planted during spring, the best time is very early in the season, as soon as the soil is ready to work. Waiting too late means that the tree starts coming out of dormancy and starts producing new growth.
When is the best time to move conifers?
If your garden soil is heavy and wet in winter, wait until April to move these plants – and if you miss the chance on drier soils, April is a good time for you too. Conifers and evergreen shrubs add shape and year round interest to gardens and patios.
What’s the best way to move a conifer tree?
1. Dig a trench as wide as a spade and about 30-45 (12-18 inches) deep all around the tree or shrub in a circle under the furthest point that the leaves or branches reach. 2. Fill the trench with good old garden compost, or the contents of old grow-bags to help thin and fibrous roots grow into the soil that you can lift easily with the root ball.
What should I do if I dig up my conifers?
Then just before you move, dig them up, ideally with some soil around them, and plant them again as soon as you can in their new home. If you can do it quickly then they probably won’t even notice they’ve moved. Say a fond farewell to the conifers – you really will only kill them if you try to move them.
Do you have to replant conifers after they have been planted?
If, on the other hand, the conifers have been standing where they are for a longer period and you are then to replant them, you must first prepare them for this by allowing them to produce a sufficient number of new fine roots, without which your re-planting work will otherwise not be very successful.