Replanting fruit Tree

[paddywak]

I'm thinking about moving my dwarf cherry tree.At the moment its in a cut down barrel ( for the last 3yrs) and while it seems to thriving and fruits quite well I've been thinking of lifting a couple of patio slabs and replanting directly into the ground. I'm not really much of a gardener so any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Whoever]

This is the wrong time of year for replanting your cherry tree. Wait until autumn when all the leaves have dropped and the tree is going into dormancy. but before the frosts arrive. If you move it now it will become very stressed, especially in hot weather and you could lose it. You will need to thoroughly deep dig its new planting position as the soil will probably have become rather lifeless if it's been covered with paving slabs for years. When you move it, be sure to keep the root ball intact, well water the hole first and dig in some well rotted manure or some compost. Heel it in well and keep it well watered, even if all the leaves have dropped as you don't want it to dehydrate. A very light pruning at that point probably won't hurt it either.

[Whoever]

Also bear in mind that once your dwarf tree no longer has its roots restricted, it may grow a little bigger and faster than you had anticipated, so don't plant it too close to your house in case the roots start spreading towards the foundations.

[paddywak]

thanks for the info, whoever, at the moment I'm just thinking about it and as I said I'm no gardener so any advice is welcome