C’mon, you know what movie that’s from…right? Leave your guess in the comment section!
Anyhow, that quote best describes the issue Tom and I were having with our landscaping. We are attempting to make the perimeter of our house more edible.
For this dream to become a reality a lovely Jane magnolia tree needed to be moved.
Talk about mission impossible (another movie reference!) The magnolia tree does not like to be uprooted and moved.
But we needed the spot for a blueberry bush. Besides, when originally planted, we failed to consider the 8-10 spread the Jane magnolia tree requires.
And so, we read and researched the best way to transplant this gorgeous tree. The ideal time to transplant a deciduous magnolia tree or shrub is in the fall.
Keep in mind that root pruning must be done well in advance of transplanting.
So that’s where we will start you off today.
Root pruning.
Then we’ll tell you the easy peasy steps to successfully transplant a magnolia tree without killing it.
How-to prune the roots of a magnolia tree
- As your killer instinct has already told you, your first step is to water the soil thoroughly around the magnolia tree. It’s got to be softened up to make it easier to dig up to keep those feeder roots in tact.
- Tie up the lower tree branches with a light cord to protect them and the leaves from falling off.
- Mark the area to be pruned. Allow for 10-12 inches for each 1-inch diameter of magnolia tree trunk.
- Using a flat spade, cut a trench around the tree trunk. Use loppers to cut those impossible larger roots.
- Dig the trench down to about a 2-foot depth. The general idea is to reach as many lateral roots as possible.
- Mission complete? Now replace soil with good topsoil around the tree for added benefits.
- Again, water, water, water. Remove any protective covering or the cord you used to transplant
How-to transplant a magnolia tree
- Water soil and surrounding soil thoroughly to soften the soil, reduce stress to the tree, and to help keep the root ball in tact.
- Dig a hole for the new home of the magnolia tree 2 to 3 times as wide as the root ball while keeping the depth the same. Don’t plant it any deeper than the original soil line!
- Take your hose and fill the hole with water prior to transplanting.
- Using twine for a bush or a strong cord for bigger trees and tie off the branches of the bush/tree you are moving to protect them.
- Mark the soil 4 to 6 inches beyond where the roots were previously pruned.
- Dig around the tree, going outside the mark so you don’t mistakenly snip of extra roots. Dig deeper and cut out lateral roots with loppers.
- Dig underneath the magnolia tree root ball.
- Place a tarp next to the root ball to drag the tree to its new location. Tilt the root ball onto the tarp. Get a helper if possible to lift from underneath the plant. Do not tilt by the trunk!
- Position the tree in its new hole. Make sure it’s straight, folks! And like a Christmas tree, make sure the most visible angle is your best one. Backfill with subsoil and topsoil.
- Water deeply. And make sure it consistently gets water in the coming weeks to months.
- Add 3 inches of organic mulch/compost around the magnolia tree.
- A taller tree may need to be staked!
- Do not fertilize until after the first year!
Final tips…
- Keep in mind that a magnolia tree will take several years to recover from the shock of being transplanted. It may not flower or to appear to grow much during this time. Give it time to bounce back.
- The two most important things in transplanting are planting depth and water. Make sure that the new hole for your tree is the same depth as the old one.
- Water deeply and thoroughly!
Hey gang,
We have a beautiful 30ft Southern Magnolia, we’ve recently had an ice storm and many large branches have broken off. Beyond pruning the necessary branches what needs to be done? I can’t find any relevant information.
I love beautiful Magnolia trees. I can’t plant trees because my yard is my landlord’s.
Some dwarf varieties can be grown in large containers that you could take with you if you move.
these are so beautiful
a lot of work!!!
great info. thank you
I am needing a lot of help. Moved into a old country house in the city limits and have a sunny hill in the back that needs flowers. It has some maybe 8-10″ rocks, so was thinking ground cover to bloom all year and hardy for WI winters
My very favorite tree!Nothing says summer like the sweet smell of the Magnolia Blossom. Thanks for the info and tips!
I would do a combination of plants. I was going to give you the whole list, but it would take too much space and this is someone else’s blog. So- my perfect hill:
-Creeping Phlox and chamomile for groundcover
-Clusters of spring blooming bulbs (daffodils, flag irises, cyclamen, Dutch irises, hyacinth, grape hyacinth, and tulips)
-Perennial plants: dianthus, echinacea, black eyed Susan, aster, nepeta (catmint), Shasta daisy, cranesbill, asiatic lily, monarda, coreopsis, delphinium
Whatever you decide, I’m sure it’ll be stunning.
Thank you for the hints.
so creative
great advice~
Very informative.
I love magnolias
This is a very pretty tree
cool
Apollo 13 was the movie; and, I adore Tom Hanks! Great job with moving Magnolia Jane. And, I’ve used your technique and it worked. However, I only moved a flowering quince bush. This post is timely for me, as I’ve been putting off moving a gardenia bush & feel motivated now to take on that project! Thank you for continually inspiring me; and, sharing your knowledge and tips for success!
Loved them when I lived in the South but do not know if they would do well hrtr in Michigan .
Apollo 13 is the movie the quote comes from. Would love to have a magnolia tree but live in a rental community and restriction apply.
Great info and tips! Thank you!
Thanks for the tips.
My grandparents live in Magnolia, AR and the smell of the Magnolia trees is amazing.
That sounds amazing I’ll never thought of a whole community that had Magnolias…. Magic!!!
Thanks for the tips!
Great to know. Assume it would work well with transplanting other plants as well.
Good information for transplanting in general. Thank you.
I long for a piece of land of my own where I can plant magnolias
One of my favorites. So pretty.
I have a lovely magnolia tree that is in my yard. They are so pretty!
Thank you for the tips! My MIL has done all my transplanting for me in the past, but I’m ready to try it this year.
So pretty!
We will be planting our first magnolia this year. Thank you for all of the much needed tips. We’re going to be transplanting a lot of over grown hostas and possibly some other perennials.
This was interesting and informative.
I want a magnolia bush so bad. I love them.
Loved all of these tips, as I can use them for some crepe myrtles I need to move, as they are not getting enough sun! Saving this!
Magnolia trees are beautiful!
I wish I could grow them in the climate I live in
I love the magnolia trees, especially the newer varieties!
It was Apollo 13!! But I like the Luke combs song too 🤣🤣🤣 the saying is everywhere! Being from Louisiana I just have to love magnolias 💚✨
I want a Magnolia tree. I think they are so beautiful. Maybe this year I will get one. Thanks for the advice on planting one.
That is such a pretty tree!
I love the flower color and I would love one in my yard. I’m enjoying all the information you shared I now feel I could care for one properly. Now to find a space for it.
I would love to have a magnolia tree in my front yard. This is a terrific article and great advice.
I have always wanted a magnolia tree, but not sure even with these tips I could pull off getting one to survive here.
I swear it would likely die. I always feel so bad when I move something healthy and it fizzles.
Love magnolia trees
I have a magnolia tree.
i live in WI, i don’t think they would survive here
Thank you for the great advice! We have one that we need to replant!
Thanks for the info. These look gorgeous
This is a beautiful tree. When we landscape, I want to transplant some of my Dad’s Hosta’s.
The only magnolia by my house is in my neighbor’s yard and is impossibly large.
Just moved into our house in December so have to wait this spring to see what is going to pop up. Needing all information I can. You guys are always so informative.
I definitely don’t have a green thumb
We can’t grow magnolias in our zone, but I am sure these would be great tips for transplanting other flowering trees like lilacs.
I’m glad you’re successful in relocating the tree rather than simply chopping it down.
Thank you for the info. I will remember that next time.
Thank you so much for the info!!!
Beautiful tree! Thanks for the advice on how to replant!
As a kid I spent a lot of time climbing and playing on a big magnolia tree.
I love how your tutorials include photos. I hope to transplant a Magnolia this year , so it was timely. Thanks.
What wonderful advice! I have been needing to transplant a few of my bushes and didn’t quite know how to go about it. Thank you for the great information!
Thank you
Where we are there is a park with many magnolia trees that bloom beautifully in spring. We love this park for walks.
While I live in a climate that is unable to sustain Magnolia bushes or trees I found this very informative and bet it would work to transplant other small bushes and trees! Thanks so much
Beautiful trees!
Thanks for sharing. I moved recently to West Tennessee and we have tons of Magnolia Bushes and Trees. I love this now I can dig up small trees or bushes and transplant them to the areas on our property easier.
I live magnolia trees but just cant have one more tree in the yard. We have 34 already.
I will be transplanting my seedlings I grew, but no Magnolias.
One of the most beautiful trees ever.
Magnolia blossoms are beautiful & I would love to have a tree.
Great tips!
beautiful, I’m going outside now!
I’m always concerned when I prune back a plant or transplant it. It seems like if it can recover from the shock it blooms even more.
Thank you for all the information. I normally don’t transplant plants but now I have a better idea.
I am thinking this will work for a Gardenia Bush.
Thanks for sharing.
Good info. I would love a magnolia tree !
I have already moved and planted several hydrangeas a dogwood, a crepe myrtle and a peach tree.
What a beautiful tree.
I would love to have a magnolia
I honestly always wondered how that is possible to transfer a bush flower to an actual tree or any type of flower bush. I think bush’s are pretty but a tree of them is probably more beautiful and last a long time. I’m not sure but it seems like to much work. I give props to those gardeners who can do that type of stuff (:
I have never transferred a Bush but am saving this article because I may one day in the future.
Thank for the info on transplanting the magnolia tree. I see I can use the same method for all of the rose of sharon trees popping up in my yard too!! Magnolia was one of my favorites in her yard. Will be looking into planting one in her memory this spring.
I love all of this information! So useful! Thank you
Thank you for the transplanting tips. I absolutely love Magnolia trees! So beautiful!
interesting
I always get so nervous about transplanting. Thank you for the tips!
A magnolia bush or tree would be lovely for my yard and I have a lot of room! Super information in this article.
I love magnolia trees. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Magnolias are so pretty, love this!
I would love to be able to grow one here. Too cold. Lots of pine and spruce and fir.
I don’t have a magnolia but I do have a fishtail palm I need to transplant.
Does this work for any tree?
thanks for the tips..learned a lot
Good info. I would like some fruit trees.
Fascinating!! Very interesting!
What a coincidence! I’ve been looking at buying and planting one of these this spring!
This is so beautiful I don’t have a green thumb but I admire
Thanks for the great information.
I love to garden. Just got my first yard of my own last year and I have planted so many bulb and exciting to watch them grow.
I am a waitress and still not back to work full-time yet, getting my garden ready is helping keep my mind relaxed and zen.
It’s interesting to know that a flat spade would be used to cut a trench around the trunk of the tree. I guess tree spades would be one of the pieces of equipment I need to ask from a company before I can hire them. We just need to have one of those in the backyard to be moved so that the house will not have damages due to the hanging branches that are touching the rood this time.
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