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Transplanting Viburnum - 12 yrs old

14 years ago

So I have what I beleive is either a mohican and korean spice viburnum. Its about 12 years old and its too big for its current location, I really don't like prune it to "size" every year.

Due to its age and ability to only dig up a rootball smaller than the dripline, should I risk translplanting it to a location where its not inhibited or should I just leave it and continue to prune?

Lastly, if it makes sense to transplant (eventhough its 12 years old) should I transplant just before bud break next year or maybe even now?

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Comments (3)

Embothrium
14 years ago
Move when leafless. Go for volume of roots rather than soil, don't cut the roots way back trying to get an intact soil ball.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
dig up a rootball smaller than the dripline

==============

that is way too big of a rootball .... it will be much smaller than that ... but you give us no real info on its current size.. a picture would really help

but you can not do it in the middle of summer.. for best success ...

but what it will come down to ... is it worth an all day effort of backbreaking labor to save what might be a plant that can be replaced for under $50 ...

have you tried REJUVENATION pruning OF A FLOWERING SHRUB???

link below .. it really doesnt need to be moved

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
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whaas_5a
Original Author
14 years ago
I took the dive and transplanted it outside my bedroom window.

Before it was in a 14 X 14 section near the front door. The sidewalk curves around this section.

Previous owners planted a Korena spice viburnum, burning bush, sandcherry and var. weigela not too mention the 6 stella daylillies. Yes this was all in a 14 X 14 section up again the house. The Korean spice was used as a border shrub! That is the most valuable plant so I figure put it somewhere it can live for 20 more years vs. keeping it 3' X 3'.

It was a son of gun to transplant. In hindsight I should have not cut one of the thicker roots, as I was just trying to keep a symmetrical rootball.

2 days have past and it looks fine, though some of the younger stems look a little limp. Guess we'll find out if its going to make it by end of July and then if it buds out next spring I'm in business.

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