Re-locating davidson's plum

John Mc says...
I moved this one about 18 months ago, it's about 2.4m high and going strong. It's just starting to flower, never looked back.
I watered it every afternoon and gave it seasol in between times as well for months. At the time I moved this tree the weather was very dry. It's probably past the prime time for moving plants now, but if you're moving, you've got nothing to lose.

Pictures - Click to enlarge
Picture: 1

Elke says...
UPDATE: I moved the Davidson Plum in January, unfortunately on a very hot day. It wilted to brown leaves and I thought I had killed it. Persistingly I still watered it, thinking I had noting to loose. AND - it is re-sprouting from the root system. I will upload a picture soon. So - if you have no choice, you might loose all the growth, the sprouts are baby small starting at the base of the old plant and the trunk is definetely dead - but you can move them.

Manfred says...
It's a rainforest tree, and although they have tap roots, they aren't all that important to them, and as the trees grow the taproots become less and less important.

Dig to the dripline if you can, or if you can't, try to work out where the most roots are and favour that part. Spread, rather than depth.

Keep it well-shaded and wet, wet, wet for the next four months and it should be ok. It is still a very manageable size.

Mulch, mulch, mulch!

denise1 says...
Whenever I have to relocate a tree, it is important to cut back the foliage to compensate for root loss. Maybe cut off a half or two thirds of the foliage. As soon as it is replanted, soak the soil thoroughly. Then dont water the next two or three days.If it gets too much water after the soak-the roots could rot. Then you can go to watering regularly according to how thirsty is the plant and soil-neither under or overwatering. You can spray the remaining foliage with anti-transpirant or just put some frostcloth over the foliage to avoid leaf drop. This method works for most plants.

denise1 says...
You can get Coolaroo frost cloth from Bunnings. It is a white spun cloth that is draped over plants -but not against the foliage if possible, to hold in warmth during frosty nights. It also reflects daytime heat and holds in some humidity so good on relocated plants to protect leaves from drying out.

OceanEarth says...
@chichichook how did you go with the DP? I have one that is about 2M tall and 5yrs old. I stupidly planted it out about 1.5M away from the edge of my pool, not thinking about the impact of the poolwater. It's growing well, though has never fruited. I'd be a bit concerned about eating the fruit anyway because of the potential contamination from pool chemicals. Anyway, I'm planning on moving it and wanted to know if you had additional advice on top of what is already here.

LFrew says...
Hello I have a Davidson plum in a pot. I want to move it into the ground. When can I move it.

Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Jojo
Scratch the trunk if it still green somewhere. If you find a green spot. Determine where it ends with the die back and prune all the dead branches and limbs. Place the plant in a shady spot, water well and observe. If all the limbs and trunk are already brown when the bark is scratched there's nothing to save.
Always remember that Davidson's plum is an understory plant. They don't like full sun. Eastern or western aspect would suit them. Avoid northern and southern exposure.