Cutting back would add to its troubles. Top pruning at planting time does not assist establishment.

OK, I won't cut it. But do you think there is hope given my description?

Transplanting established shrubs is not a task without challenges. Frankly, there are so many factors involved that even the most experienced know that success is not guaranteed.

Since we know nothing about your transplanting process, the receiving site conditions, and the after-planting-care....we can't look into a crystal ball to foretell the future of your shrub.

I'd be patient, however. There's 'always' hope.

Most holly trees do better being transplanted between their growing periods, only during times when they have not been transplanted to heavy winds or hot direct sun exposure locations while they are first attempting to establish a good root system again.

I have also found that most holly shrubs die fairly quickly if they are exposed to conditions that stress them too much, so I'd suggest simply keep yours watered properly, and wait. If it cannot be saved; you will not have to wait all that long during this time of year, before the bare shrub's branches become dry, brittle, and can easily be determined to be dead.

Hi! I'm resurrecting this thread to see if I can get some more advice. It's now been a few weeks and it's clear what has happened to the holly. It's about 90% dead, but three small branches have flushed out with new green leaves, all on one side of the bush. I trimmed down the obviously dead stuff. My question is: how does holly regenerate? Will it put out new shoots from the base, or with the live branches just keep getting longer on one side? Is there any chance of having a reasonable looking (even if small) shrub again within a few years? Or am I just going to have a random three-branched lopsided thing? Of course it's hard to predict exactly what will happen, but any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks again.

I had to dig out an 8' Dragon Lady holly when we had an addition built on to our house. Due to construction, it had to wait 2 months in a shaded spot to get its new home. Although we got a big rootball, the plant lost many leafs and branches. It looked so bad that DW didn't even want to replant.

Slowly but surely it has regained its shape. Five years later it looks great.

Are you that patient? It might be worthwhile to look for a replacement this fall.

Thanks for sharing your experience, harryshoe. I am pretty patient...and cheap when it comes to buying new shrubs...as long as I'm getting small signs that things are going in the right direction I know it won't look good next year, but if it starts to fill back in a little I will be happy.

Its been 12 years. Did the holly survive?