- 1). Research the species of elderberry to ensure that the proposed new planting site will suit the plant's needs. Red elderberries, for example, prefer the moist environments of river banks and lakesides. The blue elderberry, on the other hand, is less picky and will survive in moist or dry locations. Choose a location at an adequate distance from structures or other trees and plants.
- 2). Till the ground at the new planting location two to three weeks before planting and mix in approximately 10 to 25 percent compost.
- 3). Pull up a wheelbarrow next to the elderberry shrub or spread out a sheet of burlap that is approximately the same length and width as the shrub's crown.
- 4). Dig a trench around the tree, roughly following the crown's drip line. Take care to avoid hitting any roots with the shovel. If roots become exposed, move the trench farther back from the shrub to clear them.
- 5). Loosen soil at the bed of the trench by prodding it with a pitchfork. Aim the pitchfork prongs away from the shrub to avoid stabbing the roots. Remove the loosened soil from the trench.
- 6). Undercut the root ball of the shrub with a digging spade. Position the spade at the bottom of the trench at an angle with the handle pointed away from the elderberry. Step on the spade to slice the ground. Continue undercutting around the entire perimeter of the trench. Back off and reposition the spade's blade at any time contact with a root is made.
- 7). Pry up the root ball by inserting the spade or pitchfork into the undercut and pushing down on the handle. Keep moving the spade or pitchfork around the trench and pry up the root ball gradually. Stop and realign your aim away from the plant any time a root is felt or heard snapping.
- 8). Lift out the shrub, picking it up by the base of its main stem and set it in the wheelbarrow or on the burlap. Secure burlap around the root ball with twine.
- 9). Measure the depth of the root ball. Dig a new planting hole for the elderberry with the same depth but with a 2-foot-larger diameter. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole with a pitch fork, then water the hole. Blend the excavated soil with organic tree and shrub fertilizer, at the rate indicated in the product directions.
- 10
Move the elderberry to the planting hole. Set it in the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. - 11
Spray the root ball with water and fill the empty space in the hole halfway up with the excavated soil. Compact the soil only lightly then add water. Fill the hole the rest of the way with soil, lightly tamp it at ground level, then water again.
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