How to Move an Aucuba

Inspect the outdoor landscape for a new planting site, ensuring that it has partial sunlight to full shade. The soil in the site must consist of dark loam soil and sand and be well-drained or dry. Choose a location under a tree canopy or against a wall or north side of a building to provide protection from winter wind.

Examine the limbs of the aucuba and place a shovel against the ground at the location of the longest one, which is the end of the root ball. Dig into the soil and push the handle back to loosen it. Repeat the process in a circular pattern around the aucuba to detach the root ball from the soil.

Slide the shovel blade into the loosened soil and angle it under the shrub to get under the root ball. Lean back hard on the shovel handle to lift the shrub from the ground.

Lift the shrub from the ground and carry it to the new planting site. Look at the depth of the root mass on the shrub and dig a hole identical to it in the new site. Extend the width of the hole to twice the size of the root mass.

Position the roots into the new hole and verify that the top of them are flush with the top of the hole. Backfill the hole with soil to cover the aucuba roots completely.

Water the soil immediately to a 6 inch depth to assist the aucuba in adjusting to the new planting site. After transplanting, water the soil at least twice per week to prevent it from drying out for at least one to two months. After this time, resume normal watering of only once per week or when the top 2 inches of soil is dry.

Spread 3 inches of organic mulch material over the top of the soil to help control moisture as the shrub adapts.