Blueberry trees

[NewEnglandBeth]

In the corner of our property, are two very old blueberry trees. I say trees, because they are over six feet tall. Each year, though, they do produce.

I'd like to transplant them to a "blueberry" garden I dug up...I'm putting all the blueberry plants in rows there.

Would you attempt to salvage these two old trees? There are still new shoots coming out of them. I thought at the very least they would be helpful for the cross polination.

I found one of their offspring...seeded perhaps by a bird....growing in the woods behind the house. I transplanted that one yesterday. The young tree was about five feet tall. I intend to scour the woods looking for more of them.

[sweetbabyjane]

Hi NewEnglandBeth,
The older and more established a plant is the less likely it is to transplant well. I think I would leave them where they are. You know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You could prune out the old dead wood if they need it. There is a way to rejuvenate the entire bush without killing it, it involves heavily pruning 1/3 of the tree each year for 3 years (a different 1/3 each year). until the whole tree is fairly new wood and the size you want.

The old trees should provide you with berries while your young trees are getting up to speed. You are so lucky!

SBJ