October the month for transplanting trees

17:55 19th October 2010

As the leaves begin to fall from the branches and many plants go into dormancy, now is the time to consider moving a tree or shrub.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), October to mid-March is the best time to transplant deciduous plants.

Meanwhile, evergreens should be moved either in October or March while there is still some heat in the soil, which should give them a chance to re-establish their root system.

Older specimens will always struggle with a move due to the fact they had been given time to establish themselves in their former position.

Likewise, some plants, such as rosa, magnolia, cistus and cytisus are notoriously difficult to relocate and may require expert help.

Once the plants have been moved, it is essential to give them the right amount of water and apply a layer of organic mulch to trap moisture and suppress weeds.

Growers looking for more tips could head to one of the RHS gardens, which include Wisley, Harlow Carr and Rosemoor.