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           You  can  transplant  almost  any  plant  providing it is
           undertaken with care and at the correct time.

           Most plants  root systems extend outwardly  in the ground
           to at least as far as its overhead foliage.

           There are three types of  roots you will encounter. Those
           that  anchor the  plant in  the ground,  its fine  feeder
           roots and  sometimes tap roots that  extend far down into
           the soil.

           Naturally  the larger  and older  plants are  going to be
           more  difficult  to  transplant   and  require  the  most
           planning, sometimes for  up to a year before  the move is
           attempted.

           This may entail cutting a  circle around the plant at the
           outer foliage drip line to  sever the feeder roots and to
           encourage  a closer knit rootball.  This will  assist you
           when  the  time  comes  to  finally  make  the move. Some
           plants,  especially  evergreens  will  also require their
           foliage to be cut back at  the same time to assist in the
           reduction  of   transpiration  and  subsequent   loss  of
           moisture.

           DO plan to transplant during  winter or during the plants
           dormant period.

           DON'T attempt to transplant during the heat of the summer.

           DO prepare the new site  for the plant before removing it
           from its original position. The whole operation should be
           carried out as swiftly as possible.

           DON'T dig the hole in the new position after beginning the
           transplantation process as the delay in placing the plant
           in its new home may allow its root system to dry out.

           DO dig  the around the  root system at  the outer foliage
           drip line and  loosen the root ball by  using a fork with
           an upwards levering movement.

           DON'T dig close  to the plant as you  will reduce the root
           system too much. The more  soil you leave on the rootball
           the less disturbance there will be to the roots.

           DO examine the root system when the plant is removed from
           its original position and trim off any broken roots.

           DON'T  leave the  plant for  any period  of time above the
           ground  without  wrapping  the  rootball  in  hessian and
           damping it down.

           DO add some compost or potting mix to the base of the new
           hole. This  will encourange the  plant to grow  outwardly
           and form a strong and vigorous new root system.

           DON'T fertilise the plant at this time.

           DO place  the plant in its new position  making sure that
           the  top of  the rootball  is level  with the surrounding
           soil.

           DON'T position  the plant with its  roots intertwined, but
           tease them in an outwardly direction.

           DO place  the excavated soil  back  around the  plant and
           heel-it-in to firm the soil around the root ball.

           WATER WELL to make sure the  root system is in touch with
           the surrounding  soil and water  thereafter on a  regular
           basis  to  ensure  the  roots  do  not  dry  out. This is
           particularly important  with evergreens, as  these plants
           will  tend  to  transpire  more  readily  than  deciduous
           plants.
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