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Transplanting a mature Jacaranda - help needed

SydneygardenerSydneygardener Posts: 8
in Tools and techniques

Hi there! Happy to have found this forum; I hope someone here can help :)

A lovely lady is offering me a healthy, unpruned 3.6m tall Jacaranda from her garden in Sydney (Australia) for free. I've always loved these trees, so I'm more than happy to accept her kind offer.

There are a few challenges that I could really use some advice on though.

1. The tree is now in the ground, and the only option I have is to dig it out and transplant it into a large pot/container/wooden construction of some sort, as I have no garden but only a very large outdoor deck. How do I go about digging it out and replanting it without damaging it or decreasing its chances of survival? If any, that is - is what I'm imagining even possible...?

2. It's autumn here now - is it the right season to transplant? If not, when is the best time?

3. The main trunk is no more than 5-6cm in diameter, so the tree is tall but not too bulky. What is the minimum size of the container that I would need?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Best,

Armand

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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    I can't help thinking that a tree of that size is going to be very unstable in a container - even a large and heavy one - its foliage will act as a sail and catch the wind and tip over.  It could even be dangerous. I'm afraid I don't think it's a very good idea image

    Last edited: 10 May 2017 14:51:48


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • SydneygardenerSydneygardener Posts: 8

    Thanks pansyface, yes I am in Sydney too :) I'm finding it hard to find a decent forum for Australian gardeners... I'll see if I can get this Pat to help, thanks for the advice.

    Dovefromabove, I understand your concern but it won't be an issue - it will be placed somewhere where I can secure it to other structures with rope etc. Moreover, the Jacaranda has very "thin" foliage, so it doesn't catch much wind. But thank you!

    Last edited: 11 May 2017 00:40:06

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    Hi Sydney.  I've posted a link to info for you on  the Forkers thread.  Unless you can "Bonsai" the tree by root pruning and top pruning and training I think you should decline the offer with regret.   A pot will never provide the nutrients or anchorage a jacaranda needs to achieve its growing potential.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Pat EPat E Posts: 12,316

    I've responded to you Armand on the Forkers thread, but I'm afraid my comments agree with Dove and Obelixx. You can always try, if you're really keen, but I hope you're very strong trying to dig it up. You might be able to get some friends to help, but my feeling is that you're undertaking a very difficult task. image Best of luck with it.

    S. E. NSW
  • SydneygardenerSydneygardener Posts: 8

    Thanks for your advice everyone - it's as I feared then :( Happy to have not ruined a perfectly fine tree by unnecessarily uprooting it though. 

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