Shrubs and trees

Replanting a shrub or small tree

• Dig a trench around the tree or shrub some forty centimetres from the trunk or the ground branches. 
• Cut or saw through all the roots that you encounter. Then also cut the roots under the rootball from within the trench. 
• Place a garden fork under the rootball and push it upwards. 
• If the tree or shrub is not too heavy, you can lift it out of the hole. 
• If the distance to the new planting hole is not too great, you can place it on a strong piece of cloth (a jute sack) and then drag it on that to its new planting spot. Otherwise you should use a wheelbarrow or cart.

Ensure that the new planting spot has been prepared

• Dig a planting hole beforehand which will comfortably take the rootball. 
• Enrich the soil by mixing in a substantial amount of compost and wet it thoroughly.
• Because a large plant or tree is very sensitive to wind, it may need to be supported at first after replanting (see below). 
• Place the bush or tree in the desired position in the hole.
• Plant at the same depth as it was in the old spot. 
• Put the excavated soil, enriched with compost, back in the hole around the rootball and stamp down firmly. Stamping usually produces a slightly depressed trench around the rootball. Leave it for the time being. It is good to add some extra water in that trench during the first weeks. 
• Once the tree or shrub is established, this is no longer necessary and you can level the soil. Water lavishly after planting. 
• Young shoots will sometimes droop, particularly on evergreens, but if things go well, they will soon recover.

Replanting older, heavier trees or shrubs

This is best left to the professionals. It is heavy work, and can even be dangerous. A garden contractor has the right equipment for it.

Generally the work is done in two phases:

Phase 1:
In the autumn prior to the replanting, a trench is dug around and through the roots at a substantial distance from the trunk - at the desired rootball size - and these are cut almost entirely, apart from three evenly spread heavy roots. The trench is then filled with compost or potting soil. Water is poured into the trench. New, fine roots form in this which will later ensure rapid regrowth at the new spot.

Phase 2:
The following year the final three heavy roots are also sawn through and the tree is moved rootball and all. This maximises the chance of regrowth.

Tree post or not

A tree grows best when it can anchor itself firmly in the soil with its roots. When a tree is replanted, it already has a crown which can catch the wind to a significant extent whilst the roots cannot properly cope with this yet. The tree will start to ‘wobble’ and may even blow over. A tree post as support is the perfect answer.

Rules for using a tree post:

• A tree should not ‘rest on its post’ and consequently develop too few roots. 
• There must be scope for a bit of movement.
• The post(s) should not remain in place for more than one to two years.
• A post is effective if it is placed on the side from which most wind comes.