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Moving a Massive 21-Year-Old Andromeda (Pieris) and Managing Seedlings

Southern NY gardener has a huge andromeda (10 ft wide, 8–9 ft tall, multi-trunk, 3 ft base) too close to house. Also, one andromeda produces dozens of seedlings yearly over 15 ft—only one does this.

Moving the Giant

Use a SMALL backhoe with extreme care. Hand-digging a 3-ft base is unrealistic.
Protect house and plant during move.

Seedling Mystery

Andromeda flowers + pollinators = viable seed.
This plant is "very happy" in its spot.
Pull seedlings: They're overcrowded, competing for water/nutrients, won't thrive.

Transplanting a specimen this size is high-risk. Consider professional arborist. Seedlings are a sign of vigor, not a problem—just remove them.

Shrubs: Japanese White Pine – Open Pyramidal Bluish-Green; Golden Japanese Forest Grass – Bamboo-Like Golden Striped Foliage; Golden Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola') – Graceful Golden Groundcover; Yves Piaget Rose: Very Double Ruffled Pink Hybrid Tea with Old-Rose Fragrance; Aucuba 'Sawtoothed Japanese': Bold Evergreen with Serrated Leaves, Red Berries; Boxwood Japanese: Lustrous Dark Green Foliage, Low‑Maintenance Compact Shrub; Rhododendron 'Ramapo': Dwarf Compact with Showy Flowers; Japanese Maple: Classic Green Foliage and Superb Fall Color; Honeysuckle Japanese 'Hall's': Fragrant Groundcover & Vine; Japanese Maples: Autumn Fireworks for Mild Climates

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