Rose Tree

by Camy
(North Providence, RI)

Hello:
I had two rose trees and lost one during the 2006-2007 winter. The 2nd one survived without being buried or having any intervention from me.

Last Fall (2007) I dug a trench next to the rose tree, carefully dug half of the roots out and tipped it into the trench. I buried it with rich garden loam and covered that with about 8-10" of leaves (a very larger area of those). The Rose Tree is still buried and I am wondering when I should dig up the tree? Also, is there anything I need to do to it once I do dig it up?

I'm not exactly sure I want to keep it where it is (at the end of a 20x50' vegetable garden) and would also like to know when the Rose Tree can be permanently relocated? Hopefully the tree has survived the winter (I would think so given the depth I buried it) but I have no idea when to dig it up.

I live in Rhode Island and we're getting 45-50 degrees every day now. We've had extreme amounts of rain all winter but it never really got very cold (I don't think it went below zero once this year). I don't want the rose tree to rot but don't want to dig it up too early either.

Thanks for your assistance!


Doug says dig it up now. And move it now. (This is first week in April for those reading this later) As long as those buds aren't started when you dig it up, you're fine. If the buds have started growing, then you'll have to protect it from late frosts that may burn those tender shoots.

What to do with it? Plant it, feed it compost, love it and take time to smell the roses. Treat it as per any other rose for pruning and problems (if any). :-)