If you want to move your elderberry, you should keep various aspects in mind. If there is a lack of proper preparation or the transplanting is done at the wrong time, the wild fruit tree will no longer grow. Find out how to do it here.
When and how can you transplant an elderberry?
To successfully transplant an elderberry, choose a frost-free, overcast day in late winter. Prepare the shrub a month in advance by severing, watering and loosening the roots. On moving day, dig up the root ball, prepare the new location and plant the elderberry. Regular watering promotes growth.
When is the right time to implement?
Choose a date when your elderberry is dormant. In this way you reduce the stress on the tree and thus increase the chances of success. A frost-free, overcast day in late winter is perfect.
Targeted preparatory work
One month before the actual implementation, the course is set for the campaign to be successful. How to do it:
- cut off the roots all around with the spade, at the level of the eaves
- then water thoroughly for 1 hour
- loosen the root ball well with the digging fork
The preparatory work is completed with a courageous pruning that compensates for the loss of root volume.
Transplant elderberry professionally
The soil at the new location will be prepared on the selected date. This includes thorough loosening in conjunction with the removal of roots, stones and weeds. Continue the work in these steps:
- create a planting pit with twice the volume of the root ball
- enrich the excavation with compost and horn shavings or manure
- dig a trench around the elderberry down to the root depth
- Use the spade to lift out the root ball with as much soil as possible
Ideally, a helping hand is available to pull a bag over the roots and lift the tree into the wheelbarrow (€2.30 on Amazon). In the new location, plant the elderberry exactly as deep as it was previously. This is followed by plenty of watering. A generous layer of bark mulch or compost helps the plant establish quickly.
Care after moving
Adequate water supply is the focus of care work after an elderberry has been transplanted. Water regularly, but without causing waterlogging. If new shoots appear in the spring, you can count on a successful moving campaign.
Tips & Tricks
The root system of an elderberry does not reach deep, but is even more extensive. If you plant the tree immediately with a root barrier, moving or removing it later will be much easier. If you are afraid to invest in high-quality geotextile, place the root ball in the ground using a large mortar tray without a bottom.
