Moving blackcurrant bush

[greenveg]

Hi,
I am new to this site, and I would be thankful for advice. I am having a new driveway installed. I have a soil border at the top of my drive, and I need to remove a blackcurrant bush. The bush is about five years old. I did not realise how thick and deep the roots are. I have dug up most of the roots, but the centre or main root is proving very hard to remove. The ground will be covered with six inches of concrete. Will the root die, or could it continue to grow under the concrete.
Regards.

[ESBkevin]

In theory you can reduce the rootball size as long as you do similar to the top above ground.
If the rootball is clipped but the bush stays full size it will likely fail. This applies to mant trees and shrubs.

Welcome to the vine.

[It never rains..it pours]

In my limited experience of moving one last winter, they are quite hardy. I pruned it back very hard before moving the root ball , then think ball I dug up was about 18" square, like you say roots size was surprising. Bone meal, etc in new home and seems fine so far

[BUFFS]

Give it a good soaking 24hrs before lifting, it will help reduce the stress of the move.

[Scarlet]

The ground will be covered with six inches of concrete. Will the root die, or could it continue to grow under the concrete.
Regards.

Cut out as much of the root as you can and I don't think it will damage your concrete. Stick all your cuttings in a bucket and you will have several new plants for next year.

[greenveg]

Moving blackcurrant bush

Thank you all for your replies. I should have explained, I do not want to keeep the bush. I am more concerned about any roots remaining in the ground after removal.

[Kirk]

The root should die off. Roots achor a plant into the ground but the plant above ground produces the food (photosynthesis) so the root will be deprived of its food source and die.