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Moving a Garrya elliptica, please help!

jenz4d68569jenz4d68569 Posts: 3
in Plants
Hi, I’m hoping someone can give me some advice about potentially moving a garrya elliptica plant- if it’s even possible at all! 
We have recently moved into a property and are adding a side extension. Located next to the wall we will be knocking through is a fairly mature garrya elliptica plant and I would like to try and save it and relocate it further down my garden. Would this be possible or would it just die if relocated?
I have pretty much zero gardening experience so am a complete novice really, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I think that's far too mature to move well. It will have large roots which it needs to keep for survival. If you do try, do it this spring and keep it well watered


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    One of my favourite trees. It is far too big to move. I am afraid you need to buy a replacement to plant elsewhere.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Definitely agree with the above comments ; there is no way a plant of that size would move and remain viable .
  • jenz4d68569jenz4d68569 Posts: 3
    Ah, a shame but I did suspect this would be the case. Thank you so much for your advice, much appreciated 😀 
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I was talking to someone this week about the several large Garrya in a public garden she cares for. She said that they have proved to be hugely resilient and recovered well from very hard pruning. Obviously that's not the same as trying to dig out and move a mature root system, but if it was me and it's got to come out anyway I would try to save it - if it dies, you've lost nothing but some (probably quite substantial!) effort. Only you can decide if it's worth trying. 

    Also, they can be grown from cuttings, so I'd do that if only to give them away.
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/garrya/growing-guide/ 
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    Agree with @LG_ If it has to be moved then there’s nothing lost (except some effort) in trying to relocate it
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree too. Nothing to lose by trying.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If you are going to try to move it, it might be best to reduce the height to about two feet and move it to a location where it is protected from wind, cold and excessive wet and wait and see!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • jenz4d68569jenz4d68569 Posts: 3
    Thank everyone. I’ll give it a go then and see what happens! 
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