if you have to lift it then take as much of the root ball that you can manage. take care of your back though. Prepare its new hole and plant as quickly as you can. Then perhaps reduce some of the foliage and water well for at least a month unless you get lots of rain.

Thanks, Seaburngirl, but I was not planning on replanting it. I was simply going to remove it so long as it was not a massive root that needed a JCB to do the job! :)

oh in that case you can dig it. I read it as 'moving'.

Thanks, Seaburngirl.

Incidentally, I lifted a small one next to it today and it was easey-peasey. Although, I don't think its big brother will be quite so easy.