What should I do with my very stressed American boxwood after a recent transplant due to a remodel?

Question

Recently I've encountered a remodel project which required the removal of two 3'x4' American boxwoods. Very carefully, I removed them from the site and re-installed them in my own yard. Similar soil, light exposure, watering habits, etc. I pruned them back about 6" at first, but since, I've had to continuously prune increasing amounts of dying branches. I've now removed 3/4 of the once existing green foliage to get down to the "green" twiggy portion of the shrub. I'm in Kentucky, hot humid, but beautiful Kentucky. I know that my boxwoods are obviously stressed from the move, but is there anything else that I might be able to do to help them along other than the obvious? Thanks so much!!

Answer 1

It sounds as if you are doing everything right. I suspect that it just needs time to acclimate to the new environment. Give it at least a year. Next season it will either be doing well again, or dead.

Answer 2

You say, “I'm in Kentucky, HOT HUMID, but beautiful Kentucky.”

Not only are your boxwoods suffering from transplant shock they are suffering from water stress. water, Water, WATER !!! If they were removed with the most amount of root possible – transplanted properly and trimmed to compensate for any root loss – THEY NEED WATER at least once a day for the first week and then I would water them three times a week until the temperature cools down – then I would water once a week until fall.

The best way to water them is to leave either a soaker hose or a hose that has been left on with a trickle of water for two to three hours. The soaker hose can be left in place but the trickle hose needs to be moved around the drip line every half hour or so.

They should be fine.

But I’ll say it again – THEY NEED WATER………………

Answer 3

Sounds like maybe you didn't get enough roots with the move. Try watering them a little more. Keep them kind of moist but not muddy. Don't cut any more off them. You may have cut so much off that it is adding to the stress. Wait tell they recover, if they do, to trim off any more dead branches.

Answer 4

try watering it

Answer 5

keep them watered. ...and hope for the best...same conditionsas here in Virginia....next time,try to do it in the early spring, or late fall...bood luck