Marianne's Response

Root bound Contorted filbert

Greetings friend!
I just purchased a gorgeous contorted filbert from a local nursery. She said it was root bound, as she had had it in the same container for 3 years.
She suggested that I wait until it cools down, closer to fall, to plant it.
My question is; is this the best advice? I feel like it’s strangling itself and is in desperate need of transplant.
Our home is 3 years older and the hill that I plan to plant it on, is a pile of earth that was pushed to the side during the construction of our home. So, it’s Georgia clay, but not compacted clay that has been there for centuries. When I dug a hole, the clay feels cool. I guess I’m fighting the urge to untangle the root ball (or cut it) “free” the poor thing.

What do you suggest that I do?

Posted by JoAnna Radman on August 21, 2021

Marianne's Response

I love the contorted filbert and have one growing right outside my office window. I so suggest you wait until fall and then transplant it into the mound of cool soil. Meanwhile keep the tree watered and you are correct that you will need to gently untangle those roots once you get the tree out of the pot. This is a tough tree so I think it will survive. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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