Knowledgebase
Moving boxwoods to different location #928385
Asked April 14, 2026, 2:27 PM EDT
Linn County Iowa
Expert Response
Yes! The best time to transplant an evergreen shrub like boxwood would be early spring (late March or early April). So you need to move quickly, if you want to do it now. If you must do it in the fall, it is best to do it early in the fall (late August through September).
Root pruning can be done around six months prior to transplanting. Often it is best done in the fall for transplanting in the spring. It can be done in the spring to transplant in the fall, but you will likely have to water during the heat of the summer to reduce stress on the shrub since it now has a smaller root mass.
Here is more information on transplanting larger/established trees and shrubs: https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/transplanting-trees-and-shrubs
More information on root pruning can be found in this article. While it is not from Iowa, the information presented applies to Iowa. https://extension.psu.edu/transplanting-or-moving-trees-and-shrubs-in-the-landscape
