You and I are in the same boat, except I don't care if the azaleas are hurt in the process. The older lady who owned my house previously let the azaleas go wild. You can't even see my house from the road. I want them gone, but every time I go to hacking and slashing at them, all I can get out is the above ground part. The roots are almost impossible to remove. I think they've been there since the house was built in 1946.

laschlee - azaleas can be safely moved any time the ground is not frozen or they are not in active growth. The period of active growth is immediately following bloom when the leaf buds are elongating and opening. Of course moving them during warm weather in a warmer summer climate than my own would require more attention - they would need a mulch to cool root zone and conserve moisture, close monitoring of water needs.

Azaleas can be among the easiest plants to transplant, you will find them surface rooted (like a big pancake) with roots extending out as least as far as widest branches, with just a few additional larger anchoring roots. It's safe to take a smaller rootball - whether you dig or find someone to dig and take them, aim for diameter approximately equal to 2/3s the plants height for best results.

Laschlee, if you really want them removed go to freecycle@yahoogroup.com or craigslist and post there. Those babies will be gone in know time.