The Best Time to Uproot & Transfer a Bush

Preparation

• The best time to uproot and transplant a bush is during its dormant stage in early spring before growth buds appear on the plant. A late autumn transplant is acceptable, but bushes transplanted in heavy soils during that time may suffer from winter frost damage. Evergreen trees are the exception, and should be uprooted and transplanted in late summer or early fall to prevent "winter burn" from moisture loss. The new site should be well suited for the new addition. A bush may grow to 3 feet tall or extend its canopy 25 feet high, so consider the mature size of the bush before moving it too close to the house or an adjoining tree. The site should be well-drained and receive some sunlight every day, but some bushes have special additional requirements for optimum growth such as full sun or acidic soil.

The Big Day

• The best day to uproot and transplant a bush is a cloudy day, one or two days after rainfall. Roots dry out very easily, and transplanting success is greatly diminished if roots are exposed to sunlight for any length of time. If the weather has been dry, the soil should be watered for several days before transplanting. This will moisten the roots and prevent them from drying out. For evergreens, the North Dakota State University Extension Service recommends a spray application of antitranspirant on evergreen leaves before transplanting to prevent the tree from losing too much moisture during the transplanting process.

After the Transfer

• The bush should be watered immediately after the transplant, but not drowned with too much water. Generally, water the bush until small pools begin to appear on the surface of the soil. The soil must not dry out or the roots will become damaged, so expect to water the area deeply for two weeks in the new location unless rainfall is abundant. Mulch is beneficial, as it helps the soil retain moisture and warmth from the ground, but it should be spread an inch or two away from the trunk of the bush to prevent rot and disease.

Long-Term Care

• The best time for fertilizing and pruning a transplanted bush depends largely on the size, condition and type of bush. Diseased shoots or overgrowth should be removed before uprooting the bush and can be trimmed periodically throughout the growing season. Newly transplanted bushes rarely need fertilizing, because the bush often remains dormant for several months and any new early growth in the spring may be damaged by a late frost. It is therefore best to avoid fertilizer until the bush has become established after a year in its new location. If a bush absolutely needs a fertilizer, apply a completely soluble fertilizer.