How to Transplant American Boxwood

Water the boxwood to a depth of eight inches the day before you want to transplant it. This will make the root ball stick together and make the plant easier to dig out of the soil.

Prepare the new planting site, which should have well-draining soil and be in full sun or partial shade. Remove the weeds and rocks, and loosen the soil with a shovel.

Wrap the boxwood in a piece of twine, starting at the bottom of the shrub and wrapping it in a spiral until you reach the top. Tie the twine in a knot. This pulls the branches out of the way and makes it easier to dig.

Dig a trench around the boxwood, keeping it at least eight inches away from the trunk. Make the trench 4 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Dig from the trench down and underneath the plant, getting up as much of the root ball as possible.

Set a tarp next to the plant. Once the roots are free, slide the boxwood onto the tarp, and drag it to the new planting location.

Dig a planting hole in the new site that is as deep as the root ball and twice the width. Lower the boxwood into the hole. Backfill the hole so the top of the root ball sits one inch above the soil level.

Fill the hole the rest of the way with soil and water until the soil settles. Cover the soil around the shrub with one inch of mulch.