Help: Hollies Transplanted with Very Small Root Balls
Bob DiBenedetto
last month
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (11)
Related Discussions
Japanese Holly - transplant
Comments (6)So to help this topic along, as mentioned above I have transplanted 6 holly all approx 4foot wide by 4 foot tall on average. I have seen the majority of the root balls to be quite extensive. We had a tap root actually running horizontally and on one holly actually was 7 foot long while other taps were 4-5 foot in length. The ball again extensive but majority of the ball was under the drip line. Or in other words the ball extended only 3 foot from the trunck. Now this could be because of our mountainous, Rocky, red clay and concrete like soil properties. Tough as nails to dig! I would assume with more loose and far better soils the tap would do its typical vertical run below the ball. We saw bigger root balls when after the 2nd transplant we pulled them out rather than digging out. At first we dug at least 2-3 foot outside the drip line and found after we pulled the rest there was a whole lot more to the root ball. So the remainder of the Japanese Holly we used my truck, wrapped the trunks in a slick and thick black plastic so as not to tear the bark and ended up with far more of the root ball using this pulling process than the digging process. But that's just the way we did it. Not everyone will chose this method. We found this to be far less time consuming and far more effective in getting more of the root. So, using a tow strap we did a slip knot with plastic wrapping the trunck then put the truck in low gear and with ease (1/2 ton F150) slowly creeping pulled 95% of the ball right out. So if possible I would try to pull out rather than dig out with a spade. But that's just how we did it. If you can't get a truck in that area and or the tow strap won't reach them your only bet is to use a spade, yes. But keep in mind like we have witnessed, the tap can sometimes run horizontal and be 3 times longer then the holly is wide or tall. Our holly was 4 foot wide by 4-5 foot tall and its tap was 6 foot and some were even 7 foot long. But I live in western North Carolina. Soil content is different here than most. I hope this helps some....See MoreWhat do I do now with transplanted holly?
Comments (3)Water them like any other newly planted shrub - as they need it, when the soil is dry down about 2" in the soil of the root ball, slowly and deeply, to get to the bottom of the roots. Check the dryness and water if they need it, not according to a schedule. Don't feed them. If it is really sunny, and the weather's hot, then rigging some temporary shade over them - less than they had - will help the leaves adjust to being in the sun again. Otherwise, you may see some sun-burned leaves. If you haven't mulched, do so, as widely as possible, no deeper than 4" and no mulch in the inch or so next to the trunk....See MoreTransplant root ball and trunk only? Will it grow?
Comments (2)I can't give you any guarantees. While rhododendrons are often successfully moved/transplanted, and healthy, established plants will often recover nicely from cutting back severely, you are considering doing both at the same time and are increasing your chance of failure. Best case scenario would be to cut back one year and move the following year if that's possible. It takes approx 10 weeks for dormant growth buds under the bark on main stems to begin to grow, sometimes longer with very old wood. Keep in mind too that reducing the top growth considerably will not change the size of the root ball and it's going to be large, at least as wide as the branches extend pre-pruned. While you can cut a somewhat smaller rootball (recommended is "as close in diameter that would equal 2/3 the rhododendrons height", and again pre-pruned), you will still need help and will want to drag on a tarp to avoid damaging those fine surface roots....See MorePencil Holly: Root feeding vs holly-tone
Comments (1)Hollytone is a soil conditioner; it helps keep the soil more acidic (which hollies like) as well as provide organic and micro nutrients, if your gardeners are doing organic fertilizers, there won't be that much difference. With the recent rains and wild temperature swings, I'm wondering if it isn't root rot due to poor drainage or a small root ball? A light mulch, particularly something on the acidic side like oak leaves, won't hurt either. Hope this helps! Jim...See MoreBob DiBenedetto
29 days agolast modified: 29 days agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
29 days agolast modified: 29 days agoBob DiBenedetto thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)Bob DiBenedetto
29 days agoindianagardengirl
28 days agoBob DiBenedetto
28 days agoBob DiBenedetto
27 days agolast modified: 27 days agoViburnumValley central KY Bluegrass z6
10 days agoBob DiBenedetto
10 days ago
Related Stories
PETSHow to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor
Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSmall Gem Lawns: More Impact From Less Grass
Instead of letting the lawn sprawl, make it a shapely design element in your yard. You’ll reap benefits both practical and aesthetic
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: Redo Stays True to a California Home’s Ranch Roots
Vaulted ceilings, windows galore and a simple white palette make for casual indoor-outdoor living
Full StoryLIVING ROOMSLove Your Living Room: Upsize a Small Space
Learn clever decorating tricks for giving your living room a more spacious feel and a bigger personality
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Standout Native Shrubs and Small Palms for Southern Gardens
These hardworking plants serve a variety of purposes, such as screening views and attracting native wildlife
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Small-Scale Agaves Just Right for Containers
Use these little living sculptures to enhance your outdoor spaces, from alfresco dining tables to urban courtyards
Full StoryDECLUTTERINGDownsizing Help: How to Edit Your Belongings
Learn what to take and what to toss if you're moving to a smaller home
Full StoryMOVINGRelocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move
Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change
Full StoryMOST POPULAR7 Ways to Design Your Kitchen to Help You Lose Weight
In his new book, Slim by Design, eating-behavior expert Brian Wansink shows us how to get our kitchens working better
Full StoryCOLORPick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette
Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems
Full Story
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5