1830 



TRANSPLANTING 



Transplanting Large Trees (Plate XLI1I). — The prin- 

 ciples of transplanting large or small trees are the 

 same, excepting as regards the mechanics of transpor- 

 tation. Types of machinery for moving deciduous trees 

 may he classified as follows: 



The most primitive device is a two-wheeled cart with 

 a pole. The tree is dug, and the cart is secured to it 

 with the trunk resting in a notch in the axle or bolster, 



2546. Moving a tree in winter, with a large 

 ball of frozen earth. 



and the pole lashed up among the branches. The tree 

 is pulled over and dragged root foremost. 



In a modification of the above, a platform under the 

 ball connects the rear axle, bearing the tree, with the 

 front axle. Of this type are the Hall, Estes, Santimer, 

 Rutherford and other patents. In one form the tree is 

 loaded top foremost, and by means of a turn-table above 

 the rear axle, swung around to position. These ma- 

 chines usually carry a ball of earth and roots, 7 to 9 ft. 

 in diameter, cut shorter on the side next to the platform. 



For moving trees in an upright position, there are 

 low platform trucks, and trucks with two high perches. 

 In the latter, one perch or a section of the axle is re- 

 moved to admit the trunk between the perches. This 

 form is used in England; also a similar one in which 

 the tree is swung vertically beside the axle of a two- 

 wheeled cart drawn by one horse. When carried verti- 

 cally, the top interferes with electric wires and the tops 

 of other trees, and the roots are injured by the platform 

 or other support. It is not practicable to carry a spread 

 of 30 or 40 ft. of roots between the wheels. 



House-mover's rigging is adapted to moving trees for 

 short distances, but is so slow that the fine feeding 

 roots outside the central ball of earth are likely to dry 

 out, and get broken by the work. 



Trees are carried horizontally with the trunk resting 

 on two benches on a low truck. The tree may be tipped 

 over on the benches by tackle, or loaded and unloaded 

 by derrick. The derrick legs usually interfere with the 

 full circle of roots, and as the derrick has to be set up 

 twice for each tree moved, the operation is slow, and, 

 with the tree swinging in midair, somewhat dangerous. 

 For moving trees a few feet, a derrick may be used, 

 with or without small wheels in the base of the derrick 

 legs. Many kinds of machines may be used, but in 

 order to make this discussion concrete, the following 

 account has reference to the device shown in Plate 

 XLIII. Other successful moving operations are shown 

 in Figs. 2547, 2548. 



For operating the mover shown in Plate XLIII, the 

 tree, of say 14-26 in. diameter of trunk, is dug by 

 starting a circular trench with a diameter of 30-40 ft. 

 An under cut is made beneath the roots with a light 

 prospecting pick, and the soil picked out and caved 

 down with a spading fork or picking rod, the points of 



TRANSPLANTING 



which are rounded to avoid cutting off the roots. The 

 loose dirt is shoveled out of the bottom of the trench. 

 The roots, as uncovered, are tied in bundles with lath 

 yarn and bent up, out of the way of the diggers. See 

 Fig. 2549. If the roots are to be out of the ground over 

 one day in dry weather the bundles may be wrapped in 

 clay mud, damp moss and straw, or burlap. When the 

 digging has progressed to within 4 to 8 ft. of the center, 

 the tree is slightly tipped over to loosen the central 

 [ball, which cleaves from the subsoil near the extremi- 

 ties of the downward roots. On sand or hard-pan sub- 

 soil this is at a depth of 2 to 5 feet. In deep soil it may 

 be necessary to cut some downward roots. A ball of 

 earth is left in the center from 5 to 12 ft. in diameter, 

 or as heavy as can be drawn by four to eight horses. 

 This ball is not essential with deciduous trees, but it is 

 easier to leave it than to remove and replace the soil. 

 With fine-rooted trees like the red maple, it is difficult 

 to pick out the soil, while with coarse-rooted trees, like 

 che beech, in gravelly soil, the ball drops to pieces. 



For loading, the cradle which is pivoted above or 

 back of the axle is swung over to the tree, the trunk 

 having first been wrapped with cushions and slats. The 

 trunk is clamped to the cradle by chains and screws 

 without injuring the bark. By means of a screw 9 ft. 

 long operated by a ratchet lever or hand-brake wheel, 

 the cradle lifts the tree from the hole and swings it 

 over in a horizontal position. Pulling in the same direc- 

 tion, by tackle fastened in the top of the tree, aids the 

 work of the screw. 



After the tree is loaded, the roots on the under side 

 of the axle are tied up to the perches. The front wheels 

 are on pivots, therefore the roots are not broken by the 

 swinging of the axle. The roots are drawn aside to put 

 in the pole and driver's seat. Planks are placed uuder 

 the wheels, and the mover is pulled out of the hole by 

 tackle. 



The hole to receive the tree is prepared with a layer 

 of soft mud in the bottom, which partly fills the crev- 

 ices as the tree is lowered into it. The weight of the 

 tree is not allowed to rest upon and crush the down- 

 ward roots, but is supported by the mover until fine 

 earth is packed in. Soil is worked down between the 

 roots in the form of mud by means of a stream of 

 water and packing sticks. One man shoveling, two or 

 three with packing sticks, and one with hose is the 

 right operation until the center is made solid. The 

 packing sticks are 2 in. in diameter, 6 ft. long, and 

 pointed at one end and round at the other. The side 

 roots are next unwrapped and covered at their natural 

 depth. 



2547. A large tree removed from its place. The roots are 

 now to be wound in burlaps or other material. 



While the tree is horizontal, it may be most conven- 

 iently pruned. Th outside should be cut back 1 to 3 

 ft., cutting to a crotch or bud, and the remaining twigs 

 thinned out about one-third. Hardwood trees and trees 

 with few roots need the most severe pruning. 



