Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Wondering if anyone knows how much damage I'll be doing to some boxwoods that have to get moved away from the house for construction projects. They're about 3-4ft wide and stand 2ft high.
If I relocate it will it have enough time to acclimatize in WV zone 4? Are these poor boxwoods getting a death sentence because the timing is off? I've always had the impression the only time to transplant is in spring, but I don't know if that's myth. I'm hoping if I'm careful with the roots and toss some fertilizer in a new hole it should hold up. Any other suggestions?
Location: somewhere close to Tampa, but closer to the beach
2,035 posts, read 5,036,650 times
Reputation: 1099
....you should be ok, as long as you follow the guidelines you had suggested...
many shrubs/trees can be successfully moved either season...
...those,such as lilacs, which flower in the spring, are best moved in the fall..or when dormant..
........as for the boxwoods you mentioned,... i don't think that moving them at this time would hurt them, provided you take enough of the roots,and add a starter fertilizer. the best way to do this is to mix the fert. into the soil of the new site...
...if your wondering what a this type of fertilizer is..its specially formulated for transplanted,or newly planted specimens and contains higher amounts of both phosphorus and potassium...which helps stimulate new root growth..and helps them handle shock....
you could also add a root stimulator which also contains higher #'s of the two nutrients i mentioned.. the only difference is with a liquid fertilizer,the benefits don't last as long in the soil as one which comes in granules or pellets...just stay away from anything with a high nitrogen content...your main goal is to get the plants to establish root growth..using something with alot of nitrogen will cause a rush of tender growth and that could get nipped by any forth-coming cold temps.
next spring,..you can switch to something with a little more nitrogen
I think maybe wait just a little longer, til the temperature cools a little. If you have been dry for most of the summer, spend some time watering before you dig the boxwoods. Maybe move them about the beginning of October. Once you plant them, treat them with an antidessicant to keep them from drying out over the winter. And as long as the ground isn't frozen, you can water them throughout the winter if they need it. Back when I worked for a nursery in the 70's, we would transplant trees and shrubs throughout the winter unless the ground was frozen.
Thanks so much for your input. You just may have prevented a premature death!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
