Is it possible to move an established (30ft) holly tree? We are having gates at the front of our house about to be put in and unfortunately the tree is right in the way of where they want to build the pillars, is it possible to replant or drag an established holly tree, approximately 2 meters to the side? its very beautiful and I didn't want to loose it!
A tree that size will be very heavy and have an extensive root system. Only a professional would be able to move it using specialised equipment
- if it could be moved at all. You would have to call one in to have a look, and you are looking at a substantial cost. One problem is knowing what is under the tree - there may be service pipes or cables which would only be discovered when the digging starts. Search on "Tree movers"; if you are in the UK, the sort of company you need is this:
You might find it easier and cheaper to change the position of the gates...
A 30' holly tree can be lopped off at ten feet and what's left can be heavily pruned, and it will still survive transplanting, and they are fast growers... ask if your gate installers have an excavator to dig a new hole and set your tree into it with its rootball. Pruning and transplanting will make your holly healthier. Right now, fall, is the best time to transplant mature trees, before the ground freezes.
Mine are very slow growing, probably due to shaded areas. I've transplanted little ones. My wife has a little one in a pot. Been there over 2 years. She calls it Groot as it is only about half a foot tall.
Lots of Holly varieties. I have one about 12 inches tall for about 10 years. I'm still waiting for it to wake up.
I have others that have reached 20ft from a 2inch volunteer over 10 years.
I've had zero luck with seeds but I sometimes find volunteers that I move to where I want them. Maybe the seeds have to go through a birds digestive system first. Once I found about a dozen volunteers growing under a dogwood in a small patch.
For better growth holly likes a good amount of sun and they don't do well in small pots. It would be best to plant your potted holly in the ground where it will receive a good amount of sun, and if it becomes too large holly takes well to pruning.
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