250 Mode of Transplanting Large Trees^ 



are much more useful in conveying the trees than horses, as 

 they pull steadier ; one pair is generally sufficient for trees of 

 a medium size, say 35 feet, but for those of the largest size 

 we have planted, (50 feet,) three pairs have been found 

 necessary. The planting is performed in the usual manner, 

 particular care being taken to have all the cavities under and 

 around the ball properly filled up. 



The trees transplanted were of various kinds; of ever- 

 greens, there were seven or eight handsome specimens of hem- 

 lock spruce^ varying from 25 to 45 feet in height, and from 6 

 to 12 inches in diameter at the base of the trunk. The de- 

 ciduous kinds embraced greater variety, including sugar and 

 silver-leaved maples, elms, oaks, beeches, persimmons, &c., 

 rimning from 20 to 50 feet in height. Of upwards of sixty 

 trees, which were planted during last winter, only five have 

 failed to start, and many of them are growing, apparently, 

 with as much vigor as if they had never been disturbed. 

 Still the circumstances, under which they were removed, were 

 far from being favorable. The greater part of them were 

 conveyed nearly a mile through 12 inches of snow over a 

 bad road. And what by many would have been considered 

 a serious objection, the deciduous kinds were almost in every 

 instance destitute of what Sir H. Stewart calls the "protect- 

 ing properties," being selected principally from shady woods, 

 as no suitable trees could be procured from exposed parts. 



Perhaps some of your readers, who feel interested in this 

 matter, may wish to know with what expedi tion our opera- 

 tions proceeded ; for the information of such I will state, that, 

 on our first commencement, three men, with a pair of oxen, 

 were unable to remove more than one or two medium-sized 

 (35 feet) trees a day, but soon becoming accustomed to the 

 work, they were enabled to bring home and plant three or 

 four a day ; and this, as I have before stated, under circum- 

 stances which in few places could be more unfavorable. Of 

 course, the larger sized ones were less speedily removed, and 

 also requiring additional hands. 



From a view of these operations and their gratifying results, 

 it would appear that the transplanting of large trees, for use- 

 ful or ornamental purposes, can be successfully practised in 

 the climate of the United States. The subject is certainly 



