[infowarrior]

   I've had a victoria plum and a breburn apple tree in the ground for a couple of months now and they're just starting to show new growth. My problem is that where I've planted them is an area that I now need for space for chickens so was thinking about digging them up and planting them in a different location.  Will them being in the ground for a couple of months now be such a problem?  Do young trees like these suffer much from transplant shock? I don't suppose the roots will have grown that much by now but maybe I'm wrong. They're both planted on either the smallest rootstocks or the 2nd smallest rootstocks you can get and I had thought of putting them both inside my polytunnel which is quite large and high which would eliminate having to errect some kind of fruit cage over them at a later date but do apple and plumb trees need to be outside to get stimulation from the wind & elements etc to strengthen and thicken the stalks/trunks or will they do ok in the tunnel?  Has anyone got apples or plums in a tunnel and are they doing ok in there and what kind of yeilds do you get in a tunnel compared to outdoor planting?

                  Cheers.

Edited to correct spelling of "plum" for search purposes

[Yorkie]

I suspect they need to be outdoors to maximise pollination.  There is also the trunk strength aspect to consider.

Were they bare rooted or container grown when you planted them?

If you absolutely have to move them, dig the new hole for each first and prepare it with added organic matter.  There is some evidence that a square hole is better than a round one.

Then move the trees with the biggest possible root ball that you can manage.  Water liberally on planting and for the first year.

[infowarrior]

They are both self polinating and I think they both came in containers.

[Yorkie]

Ideally you should move them over winter but if you must do it now, then do it as soon as you can.  The rootball is vital - make sure you don't damage more roots than you have to.