If it were me I would try to take her. She may not survive but I think it is worth a try.

I have neighbors who have 40 and 50 year old camellias in thier yards and they don't know or appreciate what they have.

Better to try to take it with you than leave it somewhere that they might just whack it down anyway.

Check with one of the camellia societies to see if they can give some expert advice on how to do it.

Here is a link that might be useful: ask an expert

Moving a large camellia plant from DC to Arkansas will take a lot of skill and work, and unless you do it now, it may be too late (they don't move well in the spring and summer). An alternative to moving the entire plant is to make some air layers on a few limbs. Its simple and fun. A link is posted below, but it basically entails removing a ring of bark around a smaller limb, wrapping the wound in damp sphagnum moss to allow a root ball to form, then cutting it off in a few months after it has rooted out. (That limb will become your new plant.) You just pot it up, and then replant in Arkansas or leave it in the container. Nuthintoit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Air Layering instructions

Propagate from air layers or cuttings and leave the rest behind.

OH Forrest.....you must be a camellia lover...this is my first time browsing this forum and I see you all over the place....(I see you alot over at alabama forum too)....question....when is the best time to start this air layering thing...sounds like fun!!! if i jsut had a camellia to try it on!!!!

Camellias are fairly rare in the DC area, so if you leave it where it is you may want to put a label on it (such as "Camellia Japonica") for the new owner. Just a thought.

I have a camellia in a suburb of DC. I am going to attempt to transplant it. But I am not sure I can do it. I have been putting it off but need to make room for a porch. I would give this to someone who was willing to help dig it up. it is 5' tall and has white blooms.