When to dig flowering almond?

[GailC]

I was given a older flowering almond and I'd like to get it out of the ground as soon as possible. Do I have to wait until the leaf buds start to show green or can I take it as soon as the snow melts and the ground is workable?

I have no idea what the plant actually looks like, its in a neglected bed over ran with grass that gets very little water or light. Its been there quite a few years so should have a decent sized trunk.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

In North Idaho you folks will still be a in deep freeze until April... Why do you need to get it out of the ground as soon as possible? Is there a specific reason or are you just impatient (like all of us)?

 

[GailC]

Mostly impatent but I really want to check on the health of the plant and get it in a pot so I can start tending to it. It was in pretty bad shape last year with our dry summer.

We are usually out of deep freeze by march but I suspect we will have a early spring this year. Its been warm enough that the ground isn't frozen at the moment. I took some pussy willow and red twig dogwood cuttings a couple days ago and both have leaf buds already showing. Next week should be in the 40's

 

[sorce]

I would be concerned with it having foilage low enough to stay alive in a pot....

Will these take to a hacking and pot up?

Or would it be better to chop it now...
And get some growth low for a year, to help it survive a transplant?

Sorce

 

[GailC]

I don't know if it will survive another year where its at, especially if we have another dry summer like last year. If a pot is a bad idea or it looks like it won't have much foliage, I could always put it in the ground here.
I'll head over in the next couple days and see if I can locate it under the snow and uncover it so I know what I'm working with.

 

[aml1014]

I would be concerned with it having foilage low enough to stay alive in a pot....

Will these take to a hacking and pot up?

Or would it be better to chop it now...
And get some growth low for a year, to help it survive a transplant?

Sorce

At the nursery we mow these things down in spring and they grow like hell.
As far as digging goes I would wait until I see swelling buds, at that point it's about go break dormancy and would have the least recovery time. I'm excited to see this thing.

Good luck, Aaron

 

[GailC]

Thanks Aaron, I'm excited to see it too. Glad to hear that they are tough but I kind of figured that seeing as its still alive with the neglect its had the last few years. Heck, mom had forgot it was even there until I spotted flowers peeking out of the 2' grass last year. I'm just glad she is letting me take it.

 

[Giga]

I have one and they can take a beating with pruning. Wait until the last frost is gone and bud show sign of moving then dig it up. I have a thread somewhere around here