Hey everyone! We moved into our house a couple of years ago, and there's a small star magnolia in the backyard that's unfortunately planted way too close to the fence—only about 30 cm away! It was also struggling with some invasive plants like St. John's wort, ivy, and bindweed, but it's looking better now after clearing those out. We're thinking of relocating it to a sunnier spot where it can shine. I've heard that magnolias can be tough to move, but I've read that star magnolias might handle relocation a bit better because they re-root more easily. I believe we should do some root pruning before moving it, but I'm not sure about the timing. Is late summer too early for that? I'm worried about the tree being starved of water if we prune it then. Any advice on the best timing and process for this would be really appreciated!
2 Answers
If the tree is small enough that you can keep the root ball intact, you might not need any special prep. Just dig around it and slide it onto a sack or compost bag to move to its new spot. If you decide to move it now, just ensure you water it well throughout the summer. Aftercare is super important, especially if it loses some roots. If that happens, just consider trimming the foliage to reduce the stress on the roots.
I’d suggest waiting until the tree has dropped its leaves to move it. Deciduous plants like magnolias do best when they’re dormant. So, autumn might be your best bet for root pruning, then move it in late winter when it’s still not active. That way, the tree can focus on settling in without the stress of growth.
Thanks for the reply! So, root prune in autumn and then move the tree in late winter while it's still dormant? That sounds like a plan!
Hmm...we haven't tried digging yet, but the tree is about 1m tall. The problem is the fence; some roots might be crossing over to the neighbor's yard, which makes it tricky. Keeping it watered this summer is a concern too since we’ll be away for a few weeks. Maybe it's best to wait.