Mimosa trees are a regular sight in the south, growing in yards and found wild along roadsides and riverbanks. This tree does not do well in the north unless it is container-grown in a greenhouse. Transplanting a mimosa can be tricky because the variety is finicky. A mimosa itself is beautiful--and its leaves fold in when you touch them, making them a favorite distraction among children.
Determine the area where you will transplant the mimosa. Make sure the area receives at least six hours of sunlight a day. Mimosa prefers soft, damp soil. It is not possible to transplant large trees of 10 feet or more because mimosa has a deep taproot. If your mimosa is more than 10 feet, it is better to plant the seeds from the existing tree.
Dig a hole as deep as possible with the shovel; aim for at least 2 feet. Amend the loose soil with a nitrogen-rich commercial fertilizer. Have this hole ready because a mimosa must be moved quickly once it has been removed from a container or from the ground. If you delay planting, the finicky mimosa will likely die.
Dig up the mimosa from its current location, making sure you dig deep enough to get the entire taproot.
Dig your transplant hole deeper, if necessary, once you see how long the taproot is.
Replant the mimosa in the new location by holding it up so that the taproot is straight. Have someone else replace the amended soil into the hole until the base of the tree is level with the top of the ground. Pack the dirt firmly to remove any air bubbles and to support the weight of the tree.
Water the ground well to saturate the root ball and taproot. Give the mimosa tree enough water to keep the soil damp until it is established or until you see new growth at the top juncture of the leaves. At this point, cut the watering back to once every three days. The mimosa will grow rapidly and you should see new blooms after the second year.