Can a fig tree be transplanted?

10 years ago

Disclaimer: I know NOTHING about gardening.

We just bought a very old house that has a rather young looking fig tree planted right up against the kitchen wall in the backyard. (My guess is it was planted in the last 5-10 years? Though I am totally making that up.) My dad and contractor think I should rip the tree out as they fear the roots will cause damage to the old foundation, patio bricks, and the water against the house will cause the stucco to mold.

I very much see their points. I hate the idea of killing a tree and ripping it out of the ground. We live in the city and many neighbors have fig trees in pots on the sidewalk in front of their house. Could I pull our tree from the ground and put it in a pot in the back yard so the roots don't damage the house and I an put it further back from the wall? Our backyard is tiny. Really just a patio with two strips of dirt. This fig is planted in one strip, right up against the house.

Thanks for helping a newbie. And if it matters about the climate, I live in Philadelphia.

Featured Answer

asleep_in_the_garden

10 years ago

Dig around a little bit and find out where the roots are and how they are situated,select a root(or more depending on how much rootmass you are dealing with)and cut it with a sharp spade at a length more manageable to the container you have in mind for it,then cover everything back and come back in a couple weeks to a month. There should be new roots where you chopped,and if this is so,then repeat the process until the entire rootball is container ready.

Yes this will take time but it will be worth it. :)

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Comments (8)

fruity123
10 years ago
You can just dig it up and put it in a pot. Keep in mind that figs have shallow but long root systems
kendrahrose
Original Author
10 years ago
Great news. The tree is almost to a second story window in our house. I don't know if the height gives any indication of what root lenght may be. If the roots are too long to fit in a pot, does it matter is we shorten the roots or will that kill the tree? What kind of soil should I put in the pot?

Thanks for answering my elementary questions.
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fruity123
10 years ago
If you shorten the roots (like 1/3), it ,will not kill the tree, but it will definitely harm the tree. The soil should also be well draining but be sure not to let it dry out completely especially after transplanting.
fruity123
10 years ago
A picture would really help.
kendrahrose
Original Author
10 years ago
Here is a picture of the fig tree base..
kendrahrose
Original Author
10 years ago
Here is a picture of the whole tree.
fruity123
10 years ago
Whew! I thought is was a really big tree. You could totally move the tree. You fig tree is planted in a shady site. If you want figs, you need to put it in a sunny location. Also, you should prune it so it is not too tall.