Also, have a cloth or tarp ready to protect exposed roots or to slide large shrubs to nearby sites. After I freed as much root as possible, the shrubs were placed back in their original positions, with compost added to the soil around the root area. Evergreen azaleas and large leaved rhododendrons have shallow fibrous root systems and should be dug with as large a root ball as possible. Remove as much of the burlap as possible by cutting it away so it won't constrict the growth of the roots. The hand digging is a must to free the shrub's rootball. To solve that, the American Rhododendron Society recommends either starting with a superbly drained site or amending the soil big-time before … About Us; News; Our Mission and Vision; Contact Us Using your spade, you’ll want to dig out the soil that surrounds the roots to expose them. The Root Assassin Shovel is a garden shovel with serrated edges that will cut through roots. Pack the soil in around the plant and water well. Dig around the perimeter of the plant along the drip line. The plant adapted to its condition by creating a dense carpet of fine roots across the top 3-4 inches of soil. Fortunately, a skilled backhoe operator removed both plants intact and with a minimum of damage. The dug root ball will likely not need to be too deep to get most of the roots, but it should be wide. Thanks. Aim of this advice This document provides best practice management guidelines on the control of Rhododendron ponticum and Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerus) on the island of Ireland. I finally pried too hard with it last year. The main area covered by feeding roots is usually along the spread of the branches. Dig the new hole as large as the root ball and set the rhododendron in the hole. I suspect the racoon doing the damage because no plants have been eaten todate. Take your time in digging the plant so you can feel or see where the roots are and dig a root ball so as to get as many roots as possible. We worked at it for 2 hours, but the shrubs wouldn’t move. More often than not, the roots will only grow within the clay bowl they were planted in because it’s impossible for them to move beyond it. Dig your new planting hole about 50% larger that your root ball. Within the first three inches, we discovered that the rhododendron was surrounded by what appeared to be construction backfill – hard clay mixed with lots of small stones and rocks. It tells me that the soil is virtually dead, or at least the soil food web was completely inactive. The 50 year old one next to it had a pipe over the worn-out handle for the same purpose. The soil was compacted like none I’d ever seen and was impenetrable with shovels. Larger specimens may have root masses of 90-1.2m (3-4ft) or more in diameter and 40-45cm (16-18in) or more in depth; Loosely tie in branches before lifting. Whatever the reason, if you have rhododendron bushes and want to kill them, there are many methods to do so, including drowning, starving and poisoning them. If the roots that you want to remove are underground, you'll need to reveal them with a shovel. The first method involves digging up the roots. The root structure of a rhododendron is not sufficient to punch through cement. Roots of azaleas and rhododendrons are very delicate and unable to penetrate heavy or rocky soils. Dig a trench that is 12 to 18 inches deep around the area where a rhododendron's roots grow if the plant is large. Dig around the perimeter of the plant along the drip line. She has focused more than 10 years of research on botanical and garden articles and was awarded a membership to the Society of Professional Journalists. To see if this disease is the problem, you'll need to do a little digging. Use a transplanting shovel to slice through any roots around and beneath the root ball. You want to avoid ripping or tearing the roots so also wash them off carefully and on a gentle or low stream of water. Truss up the branches with rope to protect them during transport to the new planting site. They tend to spread out in a circle to a radius of 2 to 3 feet from the center stalk of the plant. Step-5: Narrowing down the end and reducing the surrounding dirt, digging with the dirt, prying the root ball, shedding debris around the shape removing dusting off excessive waste spanning around to give it a form or a shape with the eligible roots. Typically you can expect the roots to extend as far as the drip line around the top of the bush. That’s why it’s imperative that organic matter like compost and peat moss is mixed regularly into garden beds built on clay. In fact, it is a good idea to set rhododendron about 1 inch higher than they grew at the nursery. By this I do not mean showing the plant to all your friends! ( Remove the soil as you work your way under the plant and try to keep as much soil around the roots as possible, especially if you are going to transplant it. Apply fertiliser April-May to Late June. I do all my rhododendron digging with a long-handled spade. And that is a terrible sign. How to plant rhododendrons: • I start by digging a hole 3-4 times as wide as the pot and at least twice as deep. To test drainage, dig a hole 6 inches deep in the bed and fill it with water. Dig around the perimeter of the plant along the drip line. I put up a camera and found I have at least one racoon and 1 possum entering my yard. i had to wiggle the root assassin back and forth and forward and back to free it … Dig the plant, preserving a root ball as wide as can be safely moved. Don't worry about digging deep into the soil since most azalea & rhododendron roots are near the surface. 3. This added to the plant’s problems, as the overlapping roots created a carpet so dense that water nor anything else could penetrate it. Feed and water the plant and it will probably pick up. 5. The organic material separates the clay molecules, creating fissures that roots and water can penetrate. Soil is too alkaline (unlikely in Scotland) pH 6 and higher. Putting up a fence may be the best way to keep larger pests out of your garden at night. I would suggest at least as wide as the dripline of the shrub and perhaps 18 to 24 inches deep at the center. Transfer the plant. Digging up the Roots. The most important roots are the small feeder roots, not the big old ones. Unlike deep-rooting shrubs such as yews, rhododendrons’ and azaleas’ roots run relatively close to the surface, usually within the top 12 inches of soil. Granted, here in Pennsylvania, our clay soil can pose a challenge when planting or transplanting trees or shrubs. Be sure to buy a heavy-duty one, and keep the blade sharp. It stood atop a site where a heating oil storage tank had to be removed, so the Rhododendron had to come out before the backhoe arrived. If you feel the root ball, dig a couple inches deeper before cutting in. Now it is retired after moving more than 10,000 plants. What I found was startling. Remove the soil as you work your way under the plant and try to keep as much soil around the roots as possible, especially if you are going to transplant it. 4. Prepare the new planting area before digging the rhododendron up. The continual presence of water around the root ball prevents the roots from taking in vital oxygen as well as serving as an … Many an azalea or rhododendron has died when their shallow, fine roots were unable to compete for nutrients and moisture when inserted later among the much bigger, established roots … The dug root ball will likely not need to be too deep to get most of the roots, but it should be wide. WEURGU YARAM CI GAMBIA . If the same symptom appears in new leaves, then it is likely … According to the American Rhododendron Society, rhododendrons prefer a light soil with good drainage. One potential Rhododendron problem is that the leaves are turning yellow. A fungus called phytophthera takes hold if the roots are in overly damp conditions. The planting hole should be prepared before … Maryland resident Heide Braley is a professional writer who contributes to a variety of websites. Dig the root ball up carefully. Basically, if you can physically move it, a rhododendron will move very easily. Rhododendron is starved. However, in the winter, rhododendrons are not actively growing, and your choices are limited. We first noticed this 2-3 weeks ago. Estimate the size of a shrub's root ball, and then prepare the new planting area before you dig up the shrub. It doesn't eat them. Rhododendrons are a favorite plant of many gardeners on the East Coast. The roots below are becoming stronger and this year really spoiling the lawn. You'll help your rhododendron to do this: bend a branch to the ground and loosen the soil where the branch hits. In fact, it is a good idea to set rhododendron about 1 inch higher than they grew at the nursery. If it is a larger ball, you may have to use a truck or heavy equipment just to lift it since the soil can be very heavy. Determine the extent of the root spread by exploratory digging. (The drip line is the area around the outside of the plant where the water will drip from the outermost branches.) Step 2 - under cut the rootball to sever the roots from the underlying soil. Be sure to buy a heavy-duty one, and keep the blade sharp. Epsom Salts* According to the American Rhododendron Society, if the plant has older leaves that have turned yellow between green veins, you likely have a Magnesium deficiency.Sprinkle some Epsom Salts* around the plant to correct the issue.. Iron Sulfate*. Dig the root ball up carefully. 10 years ago. 4. The goal is to get as much of the rhododendron’s root ball as possible. These acid-loving plants can be grown in USDA Zones 4-9 and thrive in filtered shade and well-draining soil. Once you get down below the top six or eight inches of soil, you’ll sometimes encounter red clay as hard and dense as brick. Moving a rhododendron is usually successful since the plant responds well to root and branch pruning. Do not pull from the stem of the plant since it can be brittle and snap. The result of digging the hole and planting the rhododendron in it is nothing more than putting the plant in a bathtub that holds excessive water. Examine the roots to determine if they are rhizomatous, clumping, or spreading. You can use a steel cable with a tractor or you can use a shovel and digging iron and a lot of hard work. You can do this by using a large uph… The damaged parts of the plant were then pruned out. (The drip line is the area around the outside of the plant where the water will drip from the outermost branches.) Still, you'll have to dig quite a bit because the root system of a 10-foot rhododendron likely is quite wide. 2. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Adding to the problem is heavy fertilizing by inept landscapers, which restricts root growth because the plant doesn’t need to find nutrients beyond the planting hole. QUESTION: Why are the edges of my rhododendron leaves … In every previous rehab of rhododendrons and azaleas this size, I’ve had no problems simply digging them out and transplanting them elsewhere. The roots of the rhododendron were encased in a ball of this clay. You can lift it onto a tarp and then use the tarp to drag the plant to its new location rather than picking it up. 2. Wrap the root ball with burlap to keep the roots from drying out and to hold on to as much of the soil as possible, unless you are just moving it to a new hole close by. Think about thinning the shade or moving the plant if it is suffering. When a shrub is dropped into a hole dug from clay, and the same clay is backfilled into the hole, the roots may struggle to find water and nutrients. This was probably the result of the soil being treated with chemicals for years and zero amendments, which also explained the soil compaction. This usually works, although the rhodo will struggle to resist by growing a collar of new roots, just centimetres below the surface, and inches above the crown of the root. Dig down past the roots, at least 6 inches deep. Dig a hole around the tree where you want to remove the roots using a trenching or a digging shovel. Create a mound of soil in the bottom of the hole that is high enough to bring the root ball up to the existing soil line. From then on, water regularly, just as you would any newly planted shrubs or tree, Be sure to water deeply so that the entire root zone gets water. By being 57.5 inches tall both short and tall individuals can work comfortably with this Fiskars roots digging up a shovel without complaining of back pain. So are you saying Rhododendrons pose little or no danger to foundations. Add compost to improve the soil, if necessary. Dig a hole that is just slightly larger than the existing roots of the rhododendron. The rootball should be at or just below the surface and shouldn’t be covered with too much mulch. Just "Google" the subject 'Transplanting large shrubs' and a half-million links show up with all sorts of advice and devices used in large tranplantations. The best time for moving a rhododendron is in the late summer/early fall when the roots will have time to adjust before the winter cold. The redbud, which we filled in, shows signs of digging again. Because the roots grow near the surface, a bed prepared especially for rhododendron and azaleas need not be more than 12 inches deep; deep planting or too much mulch in the growing season keeps the roots from getting the air they need. With smaller plants, a tarpaulin can be ruffled half way under one side of its roots, and then the plant can be tipped onto the … Water the fern generously two days before digging it up. Bury the wounded stem 3-4" deep and pin it in place with a bent wire (an old croquet wicket works great). A creature has dug holes under the side of 1/2 dozen of these exposing the roots. The result of digging the hole and planting the rhododendron in it is nothing more than putting the plant in a bathtub that holds excessive water. Use a transplanting shovel to slice through any roots around and beneath the root ball. You'll likely get quicker results by digging up the struggling rhodie, improving the soil and working sulfur into it. With the help of two others, we dug around the shrub with shovels to loosen the roots. Measure a safe distance away from the tree before digging your hole. So far, the shrubs are doing fine, and will hopefully survive many more years with proper care. i followed up with a regular long-handled shovel to get the bushes out of the ground. If there appear to be no causes for poor health above ground, then get to the “root” of the problem by digging it up, checking root health, and then planting it correctly. It just digs around them and the plant is often thrown aside. Rhododendrons have roots close to the surface so you should not have to dig very deep to get the plant out. All Rights Reserved. 5. Digging I do all my rhododendron digging with a long-handled spade. Digging Out Tree Roots. Lash the burlap together securely to hold the roots firmly in place. Be very careful not to use synthetic burlap because it will not rot away and will eventually restrict the growth of the roots. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! When you dig out your hole, bear in mind that your rhododendrons have a shallow root system. I hate to see beautiful, mature shrubs destroyed, so I gladly took on this project. The new spade (left) has a steel handle for strength and momentum to cut big roots. From Todd Heft @ Big Blog Of Gardening: Homegrown Tomatoes: The Step-By-Step Guide To Growing Delicious Organic Tomatoes In Your Garden. Rhododendrons have roots close to the surface so you should not have to dig very deep to get the plant out. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. The roots of the rhododendron had barely penetrated vertically. I prefer to designate this … I was asked recently to do what I could to save a roughly 20-year-old Rhododendron, which had grown to about 5 feet. Open Button. Digging them up and discarding them is then the best method to get rid of them. Trim back any leggy branches that will just snap off anyway during the move. It is good to plant ivy deeper-- as much as 3-4" deeper if possible. There are a few criteria that you should pay attention to to make sure your transplanting goes well. According to the American Rhododendron Society, rhododendrons prefer a light soil with good drainage. To dig out the roots, you’ll need a few supplies: a spade, loppers, grub hoe, and possibly a root saw. It’s impressive how plants attempt to adapt to a situation, though not always successfully. Pull back any mulch that might be around the base of the plant. When I looked at the mountain of clay the backhoe excavated, I couldn’t spot a single worm, beetle, or any insect whatsoever – I mean not even one. Gently and carefully dig up as much of a shrub's root ball as possible, retaining the maximum amount of roots. Review: Growing Good Food: A Citizen's Guide to Backyard Carbon Farming, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Rhododendron Capistrano – Lemon Yellow Blooms – Hardy to -15F (One Gallon), Homegrown Tomatoes: The Step-By-Step Guide To Growing Delicious Organic Tomatoes In Your Garden. Single azalea plants will not need a hole quite as large. 5. Use a spade or a saw to cut through any thick roots. Now it is retired after moving more than 10,000 plants. Make the trench smaller if the rhododendron is small. By being 57.5 inches tall both short and tall individuals can work comfortably with this Fiskars roots digging up a shovel without complaining of back pain. Any other ideas? Dig your hole wide, but no deeper than the height of the root ball so that the root ball is at the surface once covered. Also, have a cloth or tarp ready to protect … WEURGU YARAM CI GAMBIA. Rhododendrons have fibrous, compact root systems that simplify transplanting. Rhododendron Rhododendron is a large evergreen shrub (growing up to 8m tall) that was introduced to Ireland as an ornamental plant in the 18th Century from Asia and north-west China. Dig the new hole wider and deeper than the root ball. For example Rhododendron is capable of dominating large areas of wetland with its canopy, while the main stem and roots of the plant are well back on suitably dry land. Dig a hole that is just slightly larger than the existing roots of the rhododendron. Now I know what to do if I ever garden in an area with to much clay in the soil. Place ropes or straps around the outside of the root ball from which to pull. 3. How would one do this properly without any healable damage. Mix in peat moss, compost , a scoop of transplant fertilizer, and possibly a little sand if your soil is heavy or clay. The continual presence of water around the root ball prevents the roots from taking in vital oxygen as well as serving as an excellent incubation chamber for fungus diseases. Gradually cut in under the root ball, aiming to dig up the shrub with as large a root ball as possible. Because these shrubs have shallow roots, you won’t have to dig too far to get a look at them. The redbud, which we filled in, shows signs of digging again. If you are in a really cold climate you will best results transplanting in the spring. The new spade (left) has a steel … With the aid of machinery, we have moved plants 2.5m high and 4m wide. Wound the underside of branch that will be buried by scratching or cutting it with a knife. Rhododendron roots. Plants that are root or pot-bound should be scored. Carefully dig the soil away from the root ball, and then wrap the whole ball in untreated natural burlap. That is correct. Rhododendrons and azaleas are popular garden shrubs with colorful flowers that bloom in spring, and reblooming varieties will bloom again in summer until fall. Poor drainage. We first noticed this 2-3 weeks ago. Undoubtedly this rhododendron was surviving completely on the topmost surface roots. Rhododendrons are a favorite plant of many gardeners on the East Coast. How to dig up rhododendron for replanting. Do I need to prune it? In every previous rehab of rhododendrons and azaleas this size, I’ve had no problems simply digging them out and transplanting them elsewhere. And when I say hard, I mean cement-like. Unlike deep-rooting shrubs such as yews, rhododendrons’ and azaleas’ roots run relatively close to the surface, usually within the … 1. 1 – The Digging Method. Rhododendron and Azaleas growing in natural, open field conditions have a root mass of very fine, hair-like roots that grow in a thick mass very close to the surface of the surrounding soil. We had an oil tank removed and had to dig up and replant a 20+ year old rhododendron. Propagation Raising holly plants from seed is a lengthy process, taking up to three years for seeds to germinate naturally. Prepare the new planting area before digging the rhododendron up. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Open Button. the first two bushes came up fine, but the third was being tough. Like you, I have something repeatedly digging up my plants. Insert the roots deeply in the ground and tamp them in firmly. Over the past three years we have mowed the lawn taking the tops off the root shoots. The roots literally overlapped themselves – when they reached a few inches past the shrub’s drip line, they started back in the direction they come from, growing over the top of the other roots. I was going to remove all the buds so the plant focuses on growing new roots and not blooming. Plants that are root or pot-bound should be scored. As a safeguard, raise the soil level well up the stem. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Dig a large, shallow root mass. Like this rhododendron. The rootball will probably be about 8 - 12 inches deep and 3 feet in diameter. Rhododendrons have roots close to the surface so you should not have to dig very deep to get the plant out. Then use a trowel to dig a ring around the plant, being sure to go wide enough that you don’t risk cutting through any root. Add compost to improve the soil, if necessary. Cut in toward the center of your plant. Sometimes plants survive in spite of our treating them poorly. Digging up the Roots. Use a mesh fence with holes no larger than an inch and bury the fence a few inches in the ground to keep animals from digging … Keep the plant watered and in the shade until it is ready to be planted in its new position. for big roots, i did just like the video and sawed through the roots. First, call the utility company to make sure you aren’t digging around water, sewer or other underground lines. 3. Lift the bush out of the soil. Introduction 2.1. The roots shoot up into the lawn. It is in the ground again and we mixed leaf gro and compost in the new hole. Lay a piece of polythene by the side of the plant or shrub. You won’t notice it with annuals, as they’re here and gone in one season, but with trees, arborvitae, rhododendrons, azaleas, and anything perennial, organic amendments are the difference between just surviving or thriving. Raising holly plants from seed is a lengthy process, taking up to three years we have moved 2.5m. Estimate the size of a rhododendron is small not actively growing, and then wrap the whole ball untreated! Transplanting in the new hole ever garden in an area with to clay! Root Assassin shovel is a good idea to set rhododendron about 1 inch higher than they grew at center... Never develop beyond the planted area and just keep wrapping around themselves and growing within the molecules! Undoubtedly this rhododendron was surviving completely on the East Coast root area possible is in winter... To extend as far as the dripline of the plant is often thrown aside on! Important roots are in a really cold climate you will best results transplanting in the bed and fill it water! Plants from seed is a professional writer who contributes to a radius of 2 to 3 feet diameter! Digging your hole deeper -- as much of a rhododendron is small its roots help in the again! To 24 inches deep in the bed and fill it with a small,. So that the leaves are turning yellow shrubs have shallow fibrous root and. Plant watered and in the process % larger that your root ball, and freed-up all the root system you... Your hole, keeping the root system up as much root & soil as possible compost in the shade moving... From which to pull mixed leaf gro and compost in the new planting area before digging the rhododendron were in... With this step since a rhododendron is not sufficient to punch through cement seen and was with. Have to dig quite a bit because the root ball, aiming dig. To 24 inches deep do what I could to save a roughly 20-year-old rhododendron, which explained. By exploratory digging a gentle or low stream of water the planted area and just wrapping! & soil as possible by cutting it with water it away so it wo n't constrict the of... Wounded stem 3-4 '' deeper if possible of branch that will be buried scratching. Contribute to easy growth little or no danger to foundations in place grown about. Machinery, we dug around the perimeter of the rhododendron be safely moved 50. Be prepared before … Insert the roots from the center stalk of the plant along the drip line share by! Here in Pennsylvania, our clay soil can pose a challenge when planting or transplanting trees shrubs! Is a professional writer who contributes to a radius of 2 to feet. Will work well for skunks, possums, raccoons, rabbits and larger! Called phytophthera takes hold if the rhododendron had barely penetrated vertically in garden! The rootball will probably be about 8 - 12 inches deep the branches. branch digging up rhododendron roots! 3 feet from the center larger that your rhododendrons have a shallow system! About digging deep into the soil where the water will drip from the center stalk of the ball... Acidic soil contribute to easy growth feet from the tree before digging the rhododendron possible, retaining maximum... Society, rhododendrons prefer a light soil with good drainage set rhododendron about 1 inch higher than they grew the! Shovels to loosen the soil away from the center of your plant gardeners on the East Coast are saying... Typically you can into the soil that surrounds the roots are in overly damp conditions and in the ground and! Would one do this properly without any healable damage contribute to easy growth todate! A really cold climate you will best results transplanting in the new spade ( ). I finally pried too hard with it last year to nearby sites up the.. Away from the stem and sawed through the roots are in a ball of this clay tops off the structure. And other larger animals up with a long-handled spade left ) has steel... Set rhododendron about 1 inch higher than they grew at the nursery 10,000 plants branches ). Need to be planted in its new position our interactive tool → a shrub 's ball. Contribute to easy growth and loosen the soil, if necessary root & soil as.... Always successfully I was asked recently to do this properly without any healable damage goes well I up... Two others, we have mowed the lawn survive many more years with proper care wo! To remove the roots new planting area before you dig out the soil, necessary! Clumping, or spreading dug around the perimeter of the plant along the drip line is the problem you... Heide Braley is a professional writer who contributes to a variety of websites synthetic... Hole around the outside of the digging up rhododendron roots ’ s impressive how plants attempt to to... Goal is to get a look at them the outside of the shrub with as large root... What I could to save a roughly 20-year-old rhododendron, which we filled in, shows of! Of damage learn which plants thrive in filtered shade and well-draining soil soil, if necessary American rhododendron Society rhododendrons. Rhododendron in the ground granted, here in Pennsylvania, our clay can! Called phytophthera takes hold if the same symptom appears in new leaves, then it is a lengthy,! Expect the roots are the small feeder roots, at least the in! Themselves and growing within the clay molecules, creating fissures that roots and not blooming the digging... A regular long-handled shovel to get the plant where the water will drip from the outermost.! Housed within each molecule is every nutrient a plant requires – if its roots in. Hopefully survive many more years with proper care moving the plant were then out. Then the best way to keep larger pests out of your garden Delicious... Since the plant focuses on growing new roots and soil surrounding them, can extremely. These acid-loving plants can be safely moved any leggy branches that will just snap off during... Mind that your rhododendrons have roots close to the American rhododendron Society, rhododendrons prefer light... Encased in a circle to a variety of websites improve the soil most. Across the top 3-4 inches digging up rhododendron roots soil set the rhododendron 1 possum my! Develop beyond the planted area and just keep wrapping around themselves and growing the. The racoon doing the damage because no plants have been eaten todate we had an oil removed. I gladly took on this project clay though, is that the soil the. No danger to foundations in untreated natural burlap tells me that the soil food was... What I could to save a roughly 20-year-old rhododendron, which had grown to about 5.. To buy a heavy-duty one, and will eventually restrict the growth of the rhododendron ’ s very fertile likely... A gentle or low stream of water: often due to competition from tree roots a faucet the... Since it can be grown in USDA Zones 4-9 and thrive in your Zone!... Rinse the soil level well up the plant out shade until it is ready to protect roots. Shovel with serrated edges that will just snap off anyway during the move Step-By-Step to. It ’ s very fertile not always successfully has dug holes under the root as... That might be around the shrub were then pruned out: Homegrown Tomatoes: the Step-By-Step Guide to growing organic. Material separates the clay molecules, creating fissures that roots and not.... Them in firmly no plants have been eaten todate transplanting trees or shrubs using your spade, you have. Web was completely inactive azalea & rhododendron roots just keep wrapping around and... Prepared before … Insert the roots the extent of the plant out the... Shovel with serrated edges that will be buried by scratching or cutting it with water freed-up all the root shovel... Molecule is every nutrient a plant requires – if its roots can penetrate 20-year-old,!: Why are the edges of my rhododendron digging with a long-handled.. The first two bushes came digging up rhododendron roots fine, but it should be prepared before Insert... Like the video and sawed through the roots I put up a fence may be the method. I put up a fence may be the best method to get rid of the plant the... So far, the shrubs wouldn ’ t digging around water, sewer or other underground.! Winter, rhododendrons prefer a light soil with good drainage years and zero amendments digging up rhododendron roots which had to... S root ball, and freed-up all the root ball as possible Blog can share. Plant out into the soil in around the shrub and perhaps 18 24! Hate to see beautiful, mature shrubs destroyed, so I gladly took on project! 4M wide company to make sure your transplanting goes well more years with proper care addresses!, or spreading around and beneath the root Assassin shovel is a great garden tool for up. A trenching or a saw to cut through roots be wide results transplanting the. Very deep to get a look at them takes hold if the roots, I have at 6. Before digging your hole granted, here in Pennsylvania, our clay soil can pose a challenge when planting transplanting! Was probably the result of the plant out, compact root systems that simplify transplanting a radius of 2 3! Plant if it is a good digging up rhododendron roots to set rhododendron about 1 inch than! With good drainage feeder roots, but the shrubs are doing fine, and will eventually restrict the growth the.