How do you move a lemon tree?

Question

My tree is 7 FT. tall and about 5 FT wide and growing right in the middle of my garden. Its taking up the whole entrance to my tiny garden. I was thinking about cutting it down and moving the roots of the tree about 20FT to the corner of my lot, or should I just forget it and pull it out and plant a new one in the corner of my lot. Help!

Answer 1

You need help, get lemonaid

Answer 2

Wait until the growing season is finished, as this will cause less shock to your lemon tree.  You'll need to remove all or most of its roots, with minimal disturbance, so you could be in for a good dig.  

Prepare the new planting hole well, and add a slow release fertilizer into it, which will help the plant recover over the following months.  Also add plenty of well rotted garden compost or other humous,  as this will also help it to become well established.

Be prepared for your tree to get a knock,  and poorer growth for the first year or so.  If it shows signs of not taking up enough water, and the shoots start to wither,  prune some of it away, as there will then be less foliage for the roots to support, whilst they are growing into their new spot, and creating a more extensive network to support greater volumes of foliage.  You may even lose your tree, though with good TLC this will be less likely.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob