Bay Tree in pot.

I bought a Bay tree standard a few years ago. I planted it in a pot and now the whole pot is completely full of roots. Its hard to even insert a moisture probe into the growing medium, without breaking the probe. Its jam packed of roots and impossible to remove the tree from the ceramic pot ,which is about 18 inches wide, by lifting it out. Watering is quite difficult as water sits on the top for some time, but eventually does drain through. I dont want to smash the pot as its a very smart one, and strong too. Im thinking maybe it will crack the pot eventually if it continues as it is now. The tree appears in quite good health otherwise, but not much growth. It seems the pot cannot retain much moisture.

In any ideas about how i can remove the tree? Perhaps with a cutting tool such as a hacksaw blade? Is is a good idea to remove the tree, if possible, and then substantially trim the root ball so new compost can be added around the edges?

Thank you.

 

I kept potting mine on until it was in a large half barrel before trimming the roots as I cant get hold of of anything larger and it's a real handfull tipping that tub on its edge and dragging a 3m tall tree out of it, trimming, returning to vertical and backfilling.

 

I've smashed a few of those china pots that are imported from the far east.

Totally stupid shape to make a pot for growing plants in.

Dont buy them anymore, but they do make good crocks for other more sensibly shaped pots

 

The pot is actually not curved, it is straight all the way down. it has a blue glaze and still looks the same as when I bought it several years ago, despite being outside for over 6 years, The roots are really tight and that is what is causing it to be impossible to be removed by lifting. Even with some force, it wont budge. Im guessing the only way will be to cut a few inches from the edge, all the way round. It will be some work. What pot would be suitable? I read somewhere that a third of the roots can be removed, but that seems quite drastic.

If i planted it in the lawn, would it grow into a large tree, and cause drying of grass around the tree? That is something i do not want.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

 

If it is a straight sided pot I'd be inclined to put the whole pot in a water butt or similar for a couple of hours, then standing on the rim of the pot give the plant a good pull.
Bit of a balancing act I agree but it might just give a bit if the pot is glazed on the inside .

If that dont work do the @Marley Farley thing of going around the edge of the pot with a long narrow knife, then repeat the balancing act

It usually works for me with minimum root damage.

 

If you had the pot 6 years. I dust hammer it

 

Is that a hammer made of dust @John Jameson

 

Can be made of anything you want Pete.Lol

 

Thank you all for the useful tips.

I got the tree out eventually, using an old knife, then a saw to add some power while cutting the roots around the rim, a couple of inches in. It was some work. The whole container was full of roots. About a third were discarded, which enabled new compost to be added with some fertiliser.

Again, thanks for the tips.