How to transplant a large rhododendron?

I've got a large planting of mature rhododendron that needs to be moved, because it's against my house and causing problems. I don't want to just remove it, because it's quite healthy, so I'd like to transplant it somewhere else. But it's quite big, with root branches as thick as my leg.

I've watched some videos online where they dig up rhododendron, but only fairly small ones, and even then some of the guys in the videos are using heavy equipment like forklifts.

Is there any way to do this with hand tools?

It isn’t easy to transplant any large plant. They’ve had a lot of years to settle in, and major root disturbance can kill them relatively easily. And that’s to say nothing of the weight. Once you’re talking a root ball of more than 18” diameter, it plus the plant itself are really heavy. Rhododendron is fairly shallow rooted, though, so you don’t have to deal with a taproot, in any event. It sounds like you’re talking about specimens that are probably 15 feet tall or more? I can’t imagine moving something that size without some pretty heavy equipment, and it probably won’t survive anyway. Can the plants be pruned aggressively over a couple of years to stop the issues with the house?

Here’s a link that I found that talks about transplanting rhododendrons, but I don’t think they’re talking about anything as large as what you’re dealing with.

https://www.finegardening.com/article/how-to-kill-a-rhododendron

Hmm, that doesn't sound promising. In the transplants I've seen, they do it without pruning, and with full foliage, which I guess makes sense because the plant needs its leaves to recover from the transplant.

But I believe you can also cut rhododendron right back to the trunk and it will regrow.

Would it make sense to do this, wait a year, and then transplant when the tree is much smaller? Would that work?

It might. But it’s risky. I’m no expert, but there might be some specific wisdom about landing for rhodies out there some where.

I’m not sure where you’re located, but if you’re in the US, your local extension office might be able to help you out.