Hi

I have a Nordmann Fir currently planted in the garden. It has been outside in the ground for about 8 months, and had good growth in Spring / early Summer. I am moving in about a year and ideally want to take it with me. The tree is about 4ft tall.

What would be the best time of year to move this tree out of the ground and replant it in a large pot? What are the chances of it surviving?

Thank you very much for any help you can provide,

Kind regards

Hi arnicars, the fact that its only been planted for about 8 months will mean it will move easily again. You have 2 options, one is to leave it a month and then lift it and pot it, or just to be 100% sure, root prune it now and then lift it about mid-March and pot it (i would be advising the latter if it had been in the ground for longer) Ok, this is how you do it - take a good strong garden spade and sharpen the blade either with a file or grinder. Cut around the base of the plant, about 1ft out from the trunk. Its very important that as your cutting around the plant you DO NOT lever until you have cut all the way around !!! (this will ensure that you dont 'break' the root ball) when you have cut all the way around (with the blade of the spade near enough vertical) gently start to prise out the plant and it should just 'pop' out easily BUT keep this rootball intact. then pot it up in a suitably large pot and water well. You may find it easier, depending on the width of the foliage to gently tie in the lower branches whilst your lifting it to give you a bit more room ! Finally, as your not moving for a while, if we get a dry spring, make sure you water well.
regards, Lannerman.

On 9/9/12 2:19 PM, lannerman wrote:
arniecars;968485 Wrote:
It was found growing amongst trees and rocks in North Wales - does
anyone know what it might be?

Thank you

Hi, from your picture, I'd say it was an ash seedling (Fraxinus
excelsior)
Lannerman.

The one with the divided leaves might indeed be some kind of Fraxinus.

However, you actually have two different seedlings there. The one in
front with the notched leaves reminds me of the birch seedlings I still
keep removing from my hill, despite the fact that the parent birch was
removed about 5 years ago.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary