How do I transplant lilac bush from family farm in Oklahoma to my yard in DFW area, treasure needs my backyard

Question

I want to transplant famlily heirloom lilac plant from Grady county, Oklahoma to the DFW area, need help as to how, when and suggestions to keep this treasure alive. I have year round access to the old farm. Help me bring this to my home in DFW, I have a very green thumb and know I will put every effort transfering, planting and nurishing this part of family history.I need to have this in my yard

Answer 1

Best to wait till fall to transplant them. In relatively mild winter areas such as Texas & OK, fall is the preferred time for transplanting shrubs. Prune back the plant hard & take as large a soil/root ball as possible. Have you considered cuttings? http://magazines.ivillage.com/countryliving/garden/expert/qas/0,,547725_441374,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=1&pba=adid=8879831
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/shrub/lilac.htm
http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/Lilacs.pdf

Many lilacs do not bloom very well in areas with low amount of cold days such as the DFW are.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Dig it up in the spring, after it blooms but before June 1st. If the bush isn't real big, put the roots in a 5 gallon bucket of water. If it's a big bush, you're gonna have to dig up a rootball. Once you get the rootball out of the ground, wrap it in burlap. As you are transporting it, check the rootball and make sure it is always moist. When you get the lilac to it's new home, dig a big enough hole in the ground for it. If you're planting the rootball, make sure there is at leat a foot of space around the ball after it is put in the ground. Make sure the top of the ball is level with the top of the hole. Put a mixture of regular dirt, potting soil, and fertilizer in the hole before you put the lilac in there, then fill around the lilac with the same mixture. Make sure you pull the burlap away from the rootball so that the roots can spread out. Pack down the soil mixture and water very well. Make sure you water it every day for several weeks.

Answer 3

The lilac sprouts many smaller plant stems as it grows - depending on its age, it can get to be huge. I have a couple, one over thirty years old and over 20 feet high.

The root mass isn't particularly deep, but there will be a deep taproot, and the root mass will spread wide.

Start several feet away from the roots, and dig shallow and inward...you're going to want to loosen the whole lilac's grip on the ground. Eventually, when you get it loose enough, you can gently rock it and take it up. Try not to break off too much of the taproot.

Plant it in a large garbage can with enough dirt to cover the roots completely. Water it well. In the truck, lay it on its side, and brace it so the dirt doesnt fall off the roots too much. Carry some gallon jugs of water.

Stop every couple of hours and water it again. When you get to Dallas, plant it as soon as possible, adding some Miricle Grow to the water.

I love the lilac's smell. Enjoy!

Answer 4

LOVE lilacs!! Good for you for trying this. That site that Golden suggested is great -- I just checked it out. Just wanted to emphasize the transplant season should be early spring, before the buds break. This way the shrub is still dormant and will suffer less transplant shock. This is very important!! This from my husband with 25 years experience in major landscape work, including transplating some of the largest trees on the east coast!! Good luck.

Answer 5

Cut around the roots about three feet out. Water. Wait three days. Then cut down and under a bit all around. water. Wait three days. Then prune it back quite a bit, and move it to its new spot. Water frequently and cross your fingers.

Some folks recommend stripping all the leaves off (since shock death is caused by water loss through the leaves. Removing the leaves will reduce dehydration, and trees and shrubs can survive a deleafing)

Answer 6

read this: http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm

good luck.