Look what we found

[MontyJ]

Dew has always wanted a white dogwood. I recently bought her a red one and planted it. Yesterday we were looking a wild cherry tree that has been cut down so many times it looks like a bush, and is just beautiful when it's blooming. Just down the hill from it, we spotted this:

It's about 6' tall. I'm going to attempt to move it this fall once the leaves are off of it. If I don't, it's certainly doomed. It's growing in the power line right-of-way, and they won't hesitate to cut it down. What a stroke of luck! I sure hope it survives the transplant. Any tips folks?

 

[Beekissed]

I'd take plenty of the earth around that root ball and also the sod directly around the tree. Could be it will be less of a shock when transplanted. I've transplanted wild trees before and they did just fine....I'd plant it in a shady spot as they seem to thrive better in shade/partial shade.

 

[MontyJ]

Thanks Bee. I'll try to dig out to the edge of the tree canopy and go as deep as I can. I'll have to enlist some help. That's going to be one heavy root ball. The power company has already been through the right-of-way once this year. They cleared it pretty good, but stopped just feet from this little thing. If it gets taller, they will go in after it.
It gets a full days direct sun right now. Once I move it, it will get shade from late afternoon on.

 

[so lucky]

You could try going in with a shovel and dig nearly around it, almost like you are going to move it, but leave it in place till fall. That will give it a chance to grow new roots to replace the root tips that are severed, and reduce the chance of shock.

 

[thistlebloom]

I second what So Lucky said, and you will also have a smaller root ball to move. Have your hole at home already prepped on the day you plan to take it, take a big tarp to set it on for transport and then once installed give it a watering with some Superthrive.

Pretty tree!

 

[Nyboy]

I love dogwoods, don't want to know number I have killed trying to have them in my garden. Good Luck

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

The grow wild further up the road here. White and pinks.

Check to see if it has a deep tap root (on line).

 

[MontyJ]

You could try going in with a shovel and dig nearly around it, almost like you are going to move it, but leave it in place till fall. That will give it a chance to grow new roots to replace the root tips that are severed, and reduce the chance of shock.

I was doing some reading last night and came across an article that described root pruning in advance of moving it. It's on my list of things to do this week

 

[PhilaGardener]

Yup, as others have suggested, that's the way to go! Root prune now and dig and move in the Fall would be best.