How hard would it be to move a 30 yr. old Encore azalea?

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You're great!

Try to dig it so you preserve as much of the root as possible. I moved a very large rhododenron bush last year in the winter. I had to chop off som eof the root and I did not think it would surivie but it did, with lots of water and fertiliser to get the roots growing again.

at that size, it is beyond your reasonable ability to do yourself, unless you're in the landscaping business anyway. Get three quotes and hold onto your wallet.

then consider how you might construct artificial shade to protect it ... that's maybe within your ability to do

I have to move it. The 100 year old tree over the area went down suddenly in a storm. It is now in complete SUN. This fall and winter - it would be "okay" but not so, come next spring or summer and this would be in zone 7b or 8 in the South. I hate to disturb it but figure it could be re-established better this fall than in the Spring. It is about 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep in size.