Question
I am in southern New York State. Very rich, acidic soil, due to many trees and leaves for years. My property is also at the bottom of several hills, so there is plenty of ground water.

I have a very large andromeda. It was large 21 years ago when we moved here. It is approximately 10 feet in diameter, and 8-9 feet high. It has multiple trunks and is about 3 feet in diameter at base. It is too close to the house and I am wondering how best to move it. I have successfully moved smaller andromeda (8 feet tall and perhaps 1 foot at base). Is it better to do it by hand or have a backhoe dig it up?

Also, one of my other andromedas seems to be putting out seedlings over an area of about 15 feet. There are dozens upon dozens of these seedlings. It started about 3 years ago, and now each year there are more. I am quite mystified at this phenomenon. I have many andromedas in several places. This is the only one that is putting out seedlings.Is this common to andromeda?

Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Hello Mary

Question 1 - At the base diameter you describe I'd suggest a backhoe (a small one) would be your best option, used with great care so as not damage either the plant or your house!!

Question 2 - Andromeda has flowers and as long as they are visited by pollinating insects they may well produce viable seed.  All I can really say is that the plant must be very happy in its current position!!  I would advise you to pull up the seedlings though - they will become (or already are) very crowded and probably wont thrive as they will be competing for water and nutrients.

Gill