I moved an established berberis earlier this year but it wasn't quite that size. I cut it back to a couple of feet, dug it out with as much root as I could manage, and tucked it into a little corner with some fresh compost and kept it watered. It seems fine but it's a deciduous (purple foliage) variety which may make a difference. If you feel like having a go at moving it then crack on, but I'd be inclined to agree with most of the replies here - if it has to be moved because of building work then you're probably better removing it and starting anew.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Was it a nightmare Dove, you and a hand trowel to remove it all?
Nope, for some reason it was growing in our garden, and the neighbours' son was had hung his sleeping bag on it to air in the sunshine - without asking us or telling what he was doing
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Okay, sorry forgot I was going out last night. A 4" diameter trunk would need a root ball of 42" d. Ideally you want to be moving an evergreen in October, moving a tree in October, ideally you should have spaded a 42" circle around it to encourage fibrous rooting in March. Well we don't live in an ideal world so try to dig it now and try to get a 42" d root ball. It isn't going to be easy and the plant will be shocked so you're going to have to give it lots of TLC but I think it's worth trying to save. Hope this helps
I just read that you might consider moving it next year. You could spade around it now but leave it in. A bonsai trick is to dig a trench around it and fill that in with leaf mould. This both encourages fibrous roots and is easily shaken off leaving a good fibrous root system to transplant later. If you want to wait then do this in March giving the whole six months to grow then in October move it.
I hope you don't mind me saying though, that it has been quite severely pruned already and not the most beautiful of plants, considering the amount of work involved I, honestly, would be thinking about starting again as I think some of the other replies hinted at. I didn't really look at it before. Having said that the bottom of the shrub is interesting with more work you could get a very nice shrub but it would take some considered pruning over the next few years.
It hasn't gone into dormancy yet, in fact it's in flower!
No, that's the problem with evergreen shrubs. They don't really have a dormancy. However it's normally accepted that end of October is the most dormant part. If you do dig it out at Christmas make sure it isn't frosty of course and don't do your back in before Christmas.
I know it doesn't look a great shape in the photograph but it is and it's old and very much loved by a lot people.
It didn't take long for people in the local community to find out it was in danger of being pulled up.
My life is at risk if i don't at least try, so far 4 people have volunteered to help.
I'll do my best to take photos and make a note of how and what we do when we move it and i'll let you all know how it gets on over the next 12 months or so.
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Was it a nightmare Dove, you and a hand trowel to remove it all?
In the sticks near Peterborough
I moved an established berberis earlier this year but it wasn't quite that size. I cut it back to a couple of feet, dug it out with as much root as I could manage, and tucked it into a little corner with some fresh compost and kept it watered. It seems fine but it's a deciduous (purple foliage) variety which may make a difference. If you feel like having a go at moving it then crack on, but I'd be inclined to agree with most of the replies here - if it has to be moved because of building work then you're probably better removing it and starting anew.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Nope, for some reason it was growing in our garden, and the neighbours' son was had hung his sleeping bag on it to air in the sunshine - without asking us or telling what he was doing
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Interesting idea.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Okay, sorry forgot I was going out last night. A 4" diameter trunk would need a root ball of 42" d. Ideally you want to be moving an evergreen in October, moving a tree in October, ideally you should have spaded a 42" circle around it to encourage fibrous rooting in March. Well we don't live in an ideal world so try to dig it now and try to get a 42" d root ball. It isn't going to be easy and the plant will be shocked so you're going to have to give it lots of TLC but I think it's worth trying to save. Hope this helps
Thank you to all who have offered advice, encouragement, ideas and suggestions etc.
Thank you to Jim Mcad.
I shall be giving it a go and i'll begin by digging over a 42" Diameter circle around it tomorrow. I'll also take some cuttings too and pot them.
It hasn't gone into dormancy yet, in fact it's in flower!
I won't attempt to dig it out until Xmas / very early new year.
I just read that you might consider moving it next year. You could spade around it now but leave it in. A bonsai trick is to dig a trench around it and fill that in with leaf mould. This both encourages fibrous roots and is easily shaken off leaving a good fibrous root system to transplant later. If you want to wait then do this in March giving the whole six months to grow then in October move it.
I hope you don't mind me saying though, that it has been quite severely pruned already and not the most beautiful of plants, considering the amount of work involved I, honestly, would be thinking about starting again as I think some of the other replies hinted at. I didn't really look at it before. Having said that the bottom of the shrub is interesting with more work you could get a very nice shrub but it would take some considered pruning over the next few years.
It hasn't gone into dormancy yet, in fact it's in flower!
No, that's the problem with evergreen shrubs. They don't really have a dormancy. However it's normally accepted that end of October is the most dormant part. If you do dig it out at Christmas make sure it isn't frosty of course and don't do your back in before Christmas.
My back is hurting just thinking of the work involved in shifting that shrub.
you must be an optimist, and a determined one at that.
''feather brained'' idea or what!!i
sorry could'nt resist, i wish you good luck. x
I know it doesn't look a great shape in the photograph but it is and it's old and very much loved by a lot people.
It didn't take long for people in the local community to find out it was in danger of being pulled up.
My life is at risk if i don't at least try, so far 4 people have volunteered to help.
I'll do my best to take photos and make a note of how and what we do when we move it and i'll let you all know how it gets on over the next 12 months or so.