When and How to Transplant a Horse Chestnut Sapling?

[Vigen Tigen]

Found this 2m Horse Chestnut sapling growing where I don't want it to be. Would rather move than kill, so would be grateful for any advise on how and when this should be done?

[dumper]

Better picture please clear away the weeds at the base

[peds]

Probably be fine to move now if you take at least 50cm radius rootball, which is heavy enough, you'll appreciate a mini digger to help you. Mild wet weather will help, don't bother if it's hot and dry.

 

Otherwise, December to March, try and disturb the little roots as much as possible but you'd do it by hand easily enough.

After moving it, feed and mulch with seaweed and woodchip, and just fricking drown that thing.

 

Edit

And give it a bit of a haircut too.

Edited April 13 by peds

[dumper]

1000mm diameter root ball maybe a bit large take a spade and tread it in to full depth 200 mm on each side water well during summer then move next spring with as much soil as possible 

[Vigen Tigen]

On 13/04/2024 at 09:54, peds said:

Probably be fine to move now if you take at least 50cm radius rootball, which is heavy enough, you'll appreciate a mini digger to help you. Mild wet weather will help, don't bother if it's hot and dry.

 

Otherwise, December to March, try and disturb the little roots as much as possible but you'd do it by hand easily enough.

After moving it, feed and mulch with seaweed and woodchip, and just fricking drown that thing.

 

Edit

And give it a bit of a haircut too.

Regarding a haircut, do I reduce the height of the tree and if so, by how much or is it more about reducing the number of offshoots from the main stem? (which hopefully one day will be a trunk)

[dumper]

Depends when you are going to move if now trim if next winter cut the roots and just formative prune the top