Collecting a holy tree

[mook1178]

I have this holy tree in my yard that I chopped back a few years ago to more around easier. It's not in a good place at all and I think it's a root shoot. It's been an annoyance since I moved into this house I years ago.

Here are some pics. Is this a good time of year to dig it up? Should I do some prep for collection this year and dig it up next year?

Thoughts, advice, telling me it's not worth it, are all welcome.

 

[Shibui]

European holly is easy to transplant. I don't need to retain lots of roots and they still survive.
I do not find these easy to develop as bonsai but any free tree is a good learning experience as you can feel free to try new things and see what works. If it does not make a show bonsai you have lost very little and learned a lot so I'd go for it.

I have not seen holly sprout as root suckers but they do self seed quite well down here so I'd guess this one is probably a seedling. Note that holly is dioecious so some plants are male and some are female. Obviously male plants will not produce the bright red berries hollies are known for but you won't be able to tell the sex until it flowers.

 

[mook1178]

Thanks for the info.

Is this a good time to try and dig it up? Late winter, here

 

[Shibui]

My climate is mild. Winter nights just below freezing but rarely below -4C so I dig any time through winter and into spring with no problem.
A quick look seems to show your temps are similar so provided you don't get super cold temps I would say you can go ahead now. If there's a chance of real hard freeze I'd probably hold off a few weeks until temps are milder.