Question
Dear Richard,...We recently purchased a relatively new home which was landscaped ( I use the word lightly here)by its previous owner. He planted a Crepe Myrtle and Japanese Magnolia directly next to the house. They are each approx 12ft. Can I safely dig them up and replant them?

My other question involves three Bradford Pear trees along the back fence. They are fine. However, being in the 59 turning 60 bracket with pains to match, I'm hesitant to tackle the project of installing a planting bed all along the fence, under and around these trees by myself. My thought is to hire someone to till up the soil, then go in and plant it myself. Can tilling disturb the Pear trees? If so, could I put herbicide on the grass, then, later cover the dead grass with landscape fabric and haul in more soil to raise the beds?

I'd like a low maintanance yard. Thanks.

Roger  

Answer
it depends on where you live. i'm in southern NJ. from now to march(their dormant season) is the best time to transplant. dig as big a rootball as you can handle. dig and replant all in the same day.  tamp the dirt around them firmly and build a saucer dam a 1-4' out from the trunk to collect water.  water them in w/10-15 gallons of water after transplanting.  water once a week during dry spells when the temp is above 50.  fertilize w/espoma products available at your local garden center/nursery.

spray the grass areas w/roundup herbicide as per the labeled directions(normally 2 oz concentrate/1 gallon water).  it will only kill the plants whose foliage it comes into contact with.  it won't harm the trees(or other plants) as long as none gets on their foliage.  wait 1-2 weeks and then bring in additional dirt or mulch over the dead grass.  you can plant new plants in the area 5-7 days after spraying.  don't till the dead grass areas.  that will only produce more weed in a dead area.  before mulching lay newspaper(overlap) 2-4 layers thick over the ground and add 2-4" of mulch over the paper. don't use a geotextile fabric as they are made for use under stone not organic material.  after planting and mulching keep the weed under control by hand pulling or repeat applications of roundup. buy espoma products from your local garden center/nursery to fertilize and keep your trees and other plants healthy.
good luck
rick
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