From Ground: Water the apples 'John Downie' to dampen the soil, making it easier to work with. Dig a wide trench around the plant with a shovel or spade, avoiding damage to the root ball. Angle the spade under the root ball and gently lift the apples 'John Downie' from the ground.
From Pot: Water the soil in the pot to ensure that the root ball will come out easily. Tip the pot to one side and gently coax the apples 'John Downie' out by tapping the bottom and sides. Handle the root ball with care to prevent breaking it apart.
From Seedling Tray: Water the seedlings to make removal easier. Use a hand trowel or dibber to loosen the soil around each seedling. Gently lift the seedling by the leaves, not the stem, to avoid damage.