314 Landscape Gardening 



At that distance from the trunk we shall find most of the 

 smaller roots, which should be carefully loosened from the 

 soil, with as little injury as possible; the earth should be 

 gently and gradually removed from the larger roots, as we 

 proceed onward from the extremity of the circle to the 

 centre, and when we reach the nucleus of roots surrounding 

 the trunk, and fairly undermine the whole, we shall find 

 ourselves in possession of a tree in such a perfect condition, 

 that even when of considerable size, we may confidently 

 hope for a speedy recovery of its former luxuriance after 

 being replanted. 



Now to remove a tree in this manner, requires not only a 

 considerable degree of experience, which is only to be ac- 

 quired by practice, but also much patience and perseverance 

 while engaged in the work. It is not a difficult task to 

 remove, in a careless manner, four or five trees in a day, of 

 fifteen feet in height, by the assistance of thee or four men, 

 and proper implements of removal, while one or two trees 

 only can be removed if the roots and branches are preserved 

 entire or nearly so. Yet in the latter case, if the work be 

 well performed, we shall have the satisfaction of beholding 

 the subjects, when removed, soon taking fresh root, and 

 becoming vigorous healthy trees, with fine luxuriant heads, 

 while three-fourths of the former will most probably perish, 

 and the remainder struggle for several years, under the loss 

 of so large a portion of their roots and branches, before they 

 entirely recover, and put on the appearance of handsome 

 trees. 



When a tree is carelessly transplanted, and the roots much 

 mutilated, the operator feels obliged to reduce the top 

 accordingly; as experience teaches him, that although the 

 leaves may expand, yet they will soon perish without a 

 fresh supply of food from the roots. But when the largest 

 portion of the roots are carefully taken up with the tree, 

 pruning should be less resorted to, and thus the original 

 symmetry and beauty of the head retained. When this is 

 the case, the leaves contribute as much, by their peculiar 

 action in elaborating the sap, towards re-establishing the 



