Transplanting Boxwoods

[Chunky Trunks]

Hello, I have an opportunity to dig quite a few boxwoods. I am in Matthews, NC zone 8a. I Have lumber for boxes and could set up irrigation. If I take a big rootball would they survive? I have some success digging in dormancy. TIA.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

I would give those a high percentage of survival if you dig them with some roots. I wouldn't take more root ball than I could pick up by myself. Keep them in a shaded or filtered light area.

 

[rockm]

Are these worth the effort? It’s hard to tell from the photo.

From past experience low foliage and relatively new house tells me these might be small multitrunked boxwood that might not be great material for bonsai. A close up photo of the root bases would be much more instructive

Collecting for bonsai can be different than digging these up for relocation.

For what it’s worth huge root masses aren’t really needed with boxwood and can be counterproductive. Get a few feeder roots and reduce the tops a bit. Knock off as much ground soil as possible Plant in containers 1/2 wider than the root mass with bonsai soil or something that drains well