In article , Emrys Davies
writes
Sever its roots to the depth of a spade in a circle at least 1' from the
trunk of the tree and at the same time lever the spade underneath the
trunk so that all its roots are severed.

1 ft would be a severe shock to an 8 ft holly. We moved a 7ft lilac, and
gave a radius of at least 2 ft. This of course meant a massive and very
heavy rootball. ISTR we rocked the tree to one said, shovelled soil in
underneath, rocked back to the other side, repeated, and carried on till
we'd raised the rootball to the height of the surrounding ground. Then
we got a plastic sheet under it, again by rocking.

Somehow we managed to get it on to a large square piece of wood which we
balanced on an old iron ladder, and used rollers under the ladder to
move it to the new position. It was hard work!!

We chopped the tree back to main branches to avoid water loss, as Emrys
says. You can do this with lilac - they will re-shoot from almost
nothing. I'm not sure how far you can trim back holly - I'd be worried
about taking too much off.

Your main problem now is getting the very heavy rootball to the new
planting site. I suggest that you foster good relations with three or
four able bodied persons who can lift the rootball, undisturbed, onto a
plastic sheet and then carefully drag it to the new site.

When planted keep it well watered, shade it from direct sunlight, and
also moisten its foliage as often as is practical until it is
established in its new surroundings.

Which will be at least a year.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm