Moving laurel bushes

newgreenscape · April 2017

Hi there, I have recently moved and the garden has a number of laurel bushes. About 8 to 10 feet tall and good growth. I would like to move them to the perimeter as screening. On reading other threads it would appear that I have to cut them back. My two questions are firstly for bushes that size how far back do I need to cut them and secondly does it matter what time of year I do it. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

thanks

nutcutlet · March 2017

spring and autumn are generally recommended for evergreens. I think at 8 to 10 foot these will have large roots, get as much as you can. Remember that the fine bits at the ends are the bits taking up moisture and nutrients. Survival if you just get thick root, is unlikely

Buttercupdays · March 2017

Rather you than me if you want to get them out!

Fairygirl · March 2017

I (with some help from my BIL) dug one out here a few years ago - during summer. It had plenty of rain to keep it happy, so we got away with it. If you want to move them in summer then make sure you can give it plenty of water, otherwise, autumn is probably better, as nut says.

It was about the same size as yours, and we had to hack it back to a couple of feet to get in at it. It was just put into a bit of spare soil and stayed there for the winter, or possibly longer, as I didn't have anywhere for it to go. It's now in a corner of the front garden boundary and is a good metre high and wide and perfectly happy.

They can take a fair bit of abuse and neglect without any long term damage, but B'cupdays is right - they aren't easy to get out!

newgreenscape · April 2017

Thank you both for your replies. Also my apologies for my late thanks. Problems with bt and my Internet.

I will follow advice and now wait till the autumn. I will make sure I keep a big root ball with plenty of long thing water drinking roots.

Ill let you know how I get on.

Thanks again.

Moving laurel bushes

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