If you think redoing an older front yard means ripping out
all of the existing plants, think again. In many cases, you
can bring new life to small trees and shrubs by moving them
to different locations or surrounding them with new
plantings. How do you decide which plants are worth saving
and which aren't?
Assess the health of the plant. If it is diseased,
insect-ridden or in decline, or if it contains a lot of dead
wood, remove and discard.
Evaluate how a plant looks in its present spot. If it's
obviously badly placed and its size allows, move it. If the
plant isn't in an ideal location but is a magnificent
specimen, think of alternatives to moving it.
Consider the size and age of the plant. The larger and older
a plant is, the more extensive its root system. If you cut
off too many roots while transplanting, the plant won't
survive the move. You probably shouldn't try to transplant a
tree that is taller than 6 feet or a shrub that's wider than
3 feet.
Calculate the value of the plant and whether it is worth the
trouble to transplant.
If you decide to transplant:
Do so when the plant is dormant.
Get as big a root ball as possible.
Make the new hole at least twice as wide as the root
ball.
Plant the tree or shrub at the same depth that it had been
previously growing.
Firm the soil around the roots, and water thoroughly.
Water the plant regularly during the next year, until it
becomes established.