We have now successfully moved this Burberis at last, it didn't happen over the Xmas / New Year holiday after all. But we did get a very big hole dug out where we decided to move it to during the holiday. We also dug a deep trench around the burberis leaving a circular clump of earth with a diameter of nearly 50". Any roots that came out beyond this clump were chopped, there were only 4 that were chopped all having a diameter of less than the thickness of my little finger.
The burberis was then supported to stop it from falling over and falling into its own hole as we carefully excavated the root ball. These same horizontal timbers that helped to support the burberis were left in place and used to help us lift and move the burberis into its new location without us getting prickled to death and of course this meant that the root system wouldn't get damaged either. The careful excavation of the remaining clump didn't take long, 3 people a good couple of hours. The plants root system was small and very simple with very little damage, no tap root at all and a very shallow root system.
When moved it was again supported so that when the hole was filled in the roots would end up fairly close to the same depth they were previously.
The hole was then filled with a mixture comprising of its original topsoil, a humus rich compost mixed together with a full bag of bonemeal. As the hole was filled rootgrow was sprinkled over the roots prior to being covered. We then pruned the top back quite hard before it was foliar fed with a mixture of water and Phostrogen.
It looks very happy in it's new home and I think it was worth the effort. The first photo you took really didn't do it justice. This is just my personal taste but I'd like to see some of those nice big chunky roots showing above the ground a bit. I am very chuffed for you though.
I'd like to see some of those nice big chunky roots showing above the ground a bit.
Just the angle of the final photograph.
The chunky roots are still above ground and the original hole underneath is still there too. The burberis is still supported and will probably remain that way for at least 6 months or even longer. I am expecting the soil level to settle down some and because the burberis is being held firm, it itself wont sink as the soil settles. The theory being that more of the chunky roots will expose themselves as the next few months progress.
We are expecting a shed load of rain over the weekend! which I think will cause a fair amount of settlement.
Not more rain!? Well, you've done a great job, I'm sure you won't need all that support for too long but it won't hurt and would be a shame if something did go wrong. I planted a much taller pear with much less root than that without so much as a degree of leaning. I'm sure you will because you've done a great job but keep it well watered for the next year, even if it has rained. But don't worry about feeding it anymore. Just let it settle in, but do keep it weed free while it settles back in.
Congratulations! A job really well done!!! However, I think you'll need to stake it it for at least 12 months as it's quite top heavy and in a strong wind ..............
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
What an interesting project I also have a berberis to move! It is growing beside a rhododendron . I want to leave the rhode in place and dig the berberis out is now a good time?
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Good one Mark, it does have potential with the right pruning. Let us know how you get on.
We have now successfully moved this Burberis at last, it didn't happen over the Xmas / New Year holiday after all. But we did get a very big hole dug out where we decided to move it to during the holiday. We also dug a deep trench around the burberis leaving a circular clump of earth with a diameter of nearly 50". Any roots that came out beyond this clump were chopped, there were only 4 that were chopped all having a diameter of less than the thickness of my little finger.
The burberis was then supported to stop it from falling over and falling into its own hole as we carefully excavated the root ball. These same horizontal timbers that helped to support the burberis were left in place and used to help us lift and move the burberis into its new location without us getting prickled to death and of course this meant that the root system wouldn't get damaged either. The careful excavation of the remaining clump didn't take long, 3 people a good couple of hours. The plants root system was small and very simple with very little damage, no tap root at all and a very shallow root system.
When moved it was again supported so that when the hole was filled in the roots would end up fairly close to the same depth they were previously.
The hole was then filled with a mixture comprising of its original topsoil, a humus rich compost mixed together with a full bag of bonemeal. As the hole was filled rootgrow was sprinkled over the roots prior to being covered. We then pruned the top back quite hard before it was foliar fed with a mixture of water and Phostrogen.
Hope it survives!
Nice job Mark
I hope it will be happy in its new home
In the sticks near Peterborough
It looks very happy in it's new home and I think it was worth the effort. The first photo you took really didn't do it justice. This is just my personal taste but I'd like to see some of those nice big chunky roots showing above the ground a bit.
I am very chuffed for you though. 
I'd like to see some of those nice big chunky roots showing above the ground a bit.
Just the angle of the final photograph.
The chunky roots are still above ground and the original hole underneath is still there too. The burberis is still supported and will probably remain that way for at least 6 months or even longer. I am expecting the soil level to settle down some and because the burberis is being held firm, it itself wont sink as the soil settles. The theory being that more of the chunky roots will expose themselves as the next few months progress.
We are expecting a shed load of rain over the weekend! which I think will cause a fair amount of settlement.
Just a theory.
Not more rain!? Well, you've done a great job, I'm sure you won't need all that support for too long but it won't hurt and would be a shame if something did go wrong. I planted a much taller pear with much less root than that without so much as a degree of leaning. I'm sure you will because you've done a great job but keep it well watered for the next year, even if it has rained. But don't worry about feeding it anymore. Just let it settle in, but do keep it weed free while it settles back in.
Congratulations! A job really well done!!! However, I think you'll need to stake it it for at least 12 months as it's quite top heavy and in a strong wind ..............
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
For all those interested, this berberis at the mo looks very very very dead at the moment, no new growth at all and all leaves have dried right back.
But not giving up yet, i'll wait until mid summer 2015 before I dig it up and plant a replacement.