In about 1996 the company I worked for leased a property as office space and the landlord had charge of maintaining the grounds. Not long after we moved in the landlord did some landscaping maintenance work which included removing a few privet that were growing along the boundary fence.

The privets that grew there were all removed and the largest one was dug and left out because it was too heavy to lift. I asked could I have it and they were only too happy for someone else to take it away. I got a couple of mates to help lift it into my ute and home it went. I built a large wooden box for it and potted it up when I got it home.

It lived in that box for many years, and mostly with little love and attention, just the occasional bit of fertilizer and water.

In April 2007 I decided that it was time to do something positive with this tree – mostly because the box was falling apart! I bought a large pot for it and built a stand for the pot in preparation for the day.

The new pot and stand

April 2007 in its wooden box

The tree lived beside the BBQ and under the cover of the BBQ area so it wasn’t in an ideal position, but it did survive. It was in early April 2007 I decided that action was needed and the re-potting and re-positioning began.

 Due to the size and the weight of the tree I needed assistance to lift and re-locate this tree. I used a block and tackle arrangement with a bit of reinforcing for the BBQ area roof.

The block and tackle together with the roof supports

 I used the block and tackle to lift the tree and then I moved the old box out. The box was mostly rotten underneath, and the soil was very dry.

The tree suspended and being worked on.

 While the tree was suspended in the air I took the opportunity to cut a few very large roots that would not be needed and to also remove most of the old soil. The next problem was how to move this tree to its new location?

Loading into the barrow

A large builders barrow was the answer.  After loading the tree into the barrow it was then quite easy to move it around. After arrival at its new location, the block and tackle was used again to take the tree out of the barrow and then to lower it into its new pot.

At its new location

Easing it into its new pot

 After potting the tree was given the usual post re-pot care. 

 The tree not only survived but it thrived. It is trimmed continually and flowers each year. Normally it is not allowed to set fruit as it can become a bit of a nuisance plant in the bush. 

In February 2012 I decided that the tree needed another re-pot and this is the simple process that I use. Firstly I get a large stainless steel bread knife and cut pieces out of the external area of the soil. 

 I then moved the tree into the wheel barrow so I could empty and clean the pot so that new mix could be added. I also took the opportunity to trim the roots. 

The tree was then placed into the pot and topped up with potting mix and watered in. Some trimming will be done before winter sets in so it will be beautiful in spring.