Question
Dear Mark
thank you for providing this service
I have a number or shrubbs and trees i want to move
They vary in size from 3-12 feet
Some are conifers i think, non are desiduice[?]
I could send photos
I live in nothern vic Australia
How should i move or go about preparing to move these plants
Watering seems obvious even if its just to soften the soil
Help help  

Answer
Mick. Well, we reach Australia, This is wonderful. I will probably not know much about the plants individually that you are moving, however, a plant here in the USA, and ones in Australia all grow the same, so moving them should be the same as well. The smaller ones should be no problem, the larger ones will be more difficult, only because of there size. basically, you will want to dig around the plant, but not to close, if there is any width to them, say they are 3 feet in diameter, try and dig around the plant that wide (a bit smaller should be fine, but not to tight onto the plant, the feeder roots are usually out away from the plant, look for them). of course if it is say 8 feet in diameter, digging a hole that large will be very difficult, to dig and move. The root ball that you dig out and move is the most important. I would reccomend starting the hole a bit on the large size, and working your way in, until you start hitting the smallest roots oh that plant, thats how large the rootball should be when you move the plant. with conifers, the roots may go more down, than out, so that may work to your advantage. Dig the plant out of the ground, if you are moving it a long way, or leaving it out of the ground for more than a day, you will want ot wrap it up in burlap, to prevent the roots from drying out. the roots can dry out quickly, so be careful, but dont water them unless they are protected and covered, if they get uncovered, then they really dry out quickly, and can die. If your putting the plant right back in another spot, do so, pack the soil firmly around the plant, planting it back in at the same depth as it was before. then water it, lots. water it every other day for the first few weeks, then start to cut back. what the climate is there will make a difference as well. I dont know Australia, other than what I have seen on National Geographic, and I believe there are deserts and rainy areas, so you will need to work with the climate you are in. the main thing is to water them slowly. if useing a hose, turn it on very low, and let the water run for a few minutes, the deeper the water goes, the deeper the roots will want to go, so a slow stream of water is best. you may want to get a root stimulator fertilizer if you can, this will help the roots grow very well.
Time of year can be important as well, dont move evergreen (conifers) in the spring, or when they have there new growth on them. move them in the fall, so I believe for you, this would be a good time to move them. if you move them far, and need to transport them in a truck, cover them with tarp, the wind can dry out the needles, and that will not be good. You may also want to check with a local garden center and or horticulturist that is familiar with the plants, to make certian on the time to move them, some evergreens are picky as to when to be moved.

Good Luck Mick, and it is a pleasure knowing that I may be able to help someone half way around the world. Some day I will get down there, to see how beautiful Australia really is.  Thank you and happy gardening.

Mark