sorbus aria lutescens

Can this tree be moved? Mine is seven years old and not doing well where it is. I would like to move it to another part of the garden. It is about eight feet tall

Re: sorbus aria lutescens

Reply from Kathy C

HI, Ann,
It can be moved but great care should be taken because of its size and how long it has been in the ground. It is important when digging out to get the largest rootball possible. Best to move in early spring or autumn on a cloudy day. Have the new hole already dug to minimise the time the trees roots are exposed and could dry out. To move, dig around the base of the tree, in line with the drip line (outermost reach of the branches). When lifting it out of the ground, cut rather than tear any roots that are firmly in the ground. Once placed in its new hole, make sure 1) the bottom of the rootball is in contact with the soil in the bottom of the hole with no air pockets and 2) the sides of the new hole have not been sheared by the spade. Backfill the hole by half and firm the soil down, then fill in completely and firm again. Water in well. If you move in spring, water every week if weather is dry. If you move in autumn, water every two weeks if the weather is dry. A move for any tree is traumatic. One rule of thumb is it takes one year for every inch of tree diameter for it to recover. So a tree with a 6-inch trunk diameter will take 6 years to recover. Expect growth to be slow or non-existent in the recovery period.
Kathy C