How to Dig Out a Hedge

Hedges often outgrow their growing area, shade out struggling turf grass or would look better in other areas of the landscape. People save money changing their landscape around by digging out their hedge and transplanting it to another area of the lawn. The best time to dig up and move the hedge is in the fall right after dormancy. Moving a hedge during the growing season results in transplant shock.

Twine
Tape measure
Spade
Trowel
Shovel
Landscape bar
Tarp
Burlap sack

Instructions

- 1
  Wrapping twine around the hedge’s bottom branches keeps them out of the way. Secure the twine around the trunk’s base by wrapping it around and making a knot. Wind the twine up the hedge’s top and secure it. Tie a string to a north-facing branch to orient the hedge to the right direction in the new planting area.
- 2
  Measuring the hedge’s height determines the depth of the trench for the hedge. Hedges that are 4 feet tall must have trenches 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
- 3
  Cut shallow roots by digging 12 inches past where you want to dig the trench to a depth of 4 inches. Cut the shallow roots with a sharp spade. Cutting the shallow roots beyond the trench retains the roots in the root ball. Dig the trench using a sharp trowel for cutting through roots.
- 4
  Press a shovel or landscaping bar at a 45-degree angle underneath the root ball and push the hedge through the soil. Use a saw to cut through stubborn roots preventing you from lifting the hedge out of the soil.
- 5
  Place the hedge on a tarp for moving to the other side of the yard. Wrap a moist burlap sack around the entire root ball.

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