I dug and moved this TP two or three weeks ago. I saw a post on FB about cutting the nurse roots if the TP has sufficient roots of its own. Today, I dug it again and cut the huge nurse roots with a hack saw.

Wow! I have never seen anything like that. That is impressive! Thanks for sharing. Can I ask how old is your tree peony? What is the diameter of the rootball? It is hard to estimate by the pic. What did you use to dig it? Do you know the tree's name? In any case, you did a superb job on this.

Lily,
I hope you can follow with pictures in 1 and 2 years time for us to see how TP is developing.

A grafted tree peony usually has sufficient roots by year two or three to be separated from its nurse root. Lily your photos are great!

I'll admit that tree peonies intimidate me! Is it true that some varieties have a taproot that can't be disturbed without damaging or killing it?

Karen, I think it is 3 years old. It is a NOID. Today, I found the name tag wrapped around one of the branches and it just say Purple Tree Peony with some Chinese writings in it. The rootball was huge. I wish I could have taken a pic before I clipped the "tentacles" on the sides and at the bottom. It was like an octopus! I will say about 1foot to 1.5 feet and it was long. I have to dig more than 2 feet to accommodate everything keeping in mind that TPs need to be planted deeper. Thanks!

Here are a couple of pics taken last spring. It sent out a herbaceous growth and I waited for it to bloom before cutting it. It bloomed a single pink.

Alex, if I didn't kill it, I will for sure!

Thanks Tracey!

Liz, don't be. It is amazing what I've discovered and learned in the process. I don't know the answer to your question but hopefully someone will chime in and tell us about those varieties that can't be disturbed. Hope mine is not in the list.