However, the storm snapped the tree off basically at ground level. I left it there, fully aware of the persoonias habit of reshooting after fire, and thought it may happen in this instance as well.

Seven months later, and 3 shoots have appeared on the stump. I just know these shoots will grow to make the persoonia bushy and it will always get in the way of the path. So i would like to try and move the stump somewhere with more room to grow.

It was a bad place in the first instance, but what are you going to do.

Im thinking of gently digging around the stump, trying to gather as much rootball as possible, and lifting it to a nearby garden, with a hole that has been prepared with a mixture of garden soil, perlite and sand. And i will water it in with seasol, or nitrosol. Whatever one helps transplanting, i cant remember.

Does anyone think this has a chance of working, or should i try a different method?

Thanks.

You need to take your time if you plan to transplant a mature specimen. When trying to transplant any large plant I like to use a similar procedure. The first thing I will do is dig around the drip-line of the plant (in your case where the drip-line WAS), down 1-2feet (depending on the size of the plant) to cut those roots growing in the topsoil during the active growth period. Then I will leave it for 1-3 months without filling the trench in (it's handy for watering and IMO helps stimulate the new root growth you want), until growth slows down or stops. During this period the plant will respond by growing new roots closer to the trunk to replace the long roots you cut earlier giving you a greater number of roots that will help reduce stress when you lift and move it. After this time I will water really well to soften the ground and then dig down to detatch the root ball so it can be rocked side-to-side. Have a tarp ready and slide it under the root ball without disturbing the new roots and lift it up and around the trunk to prevent the root ball from collapsing when you move it. Dig your new hole larger than the existing root ball and fill it with water allowing it to drain away. Put your plant in the new hole and back fill around it with new soil using your hose to settle it in. You can water with seasol after this but if you wait till the really hot weather is over you may find you won't need to (it won't hurt though). In your favour is the fact that it has a lignotuber. A lignotuber has many types of dormant buds just under its bark (including root buds) and is a sigificant reserve of resources that the plant can draw on in times of need and can be used in this case to your advantage.

Or you could just move the path ;)

Good luck with it...

Cheers,

Simon