CA iVA DIA N 110 R TICUL TUIUST. 



235 



ARBORICULTURAL. 



Moving Large Trees. 

 A Correspondent of tlie ComUry 

 Gentleman writes inquiring the best 

 method of moving some swamp maples 

 eight to ten inches in diameter, from a 

 swamp to his hiwn, a distance of 1,000 

 feet, with roots intact. Believing tiie 

 reply to be of interest to many nf our 

 ('aiiadian readers we give it in full : — 

 " There are two modes of removing 

 large trees, represented by the accom- 

 panying cuts. Fig. 79 shows the way in 

 which it is done by lifting the tree from 

 the ground in an erect position, draw- 

 ing it on wiieels to its place of destin- 

 ation, and dropping it into the hole 

 previously made for it. The tree is 

 first loosened by digging, then lifted 

 with the lever 6, the trunk being wound 

 with carpet or sacking, or with straw, 

 to prevent bruising by the chain, wiiich 

 raises it to the hinder wheels of a com- 

 mon farm wagon, run up to the tree 

 from behind. Chains attached to the 

 axle then enable the horse (or )ioi-.ses) 

 hitched to the whiffletree a to draw it. 

 This mode applies well to the removal 

 of evergreens as well to deciduous trees, 

 the branches of which need not be dis- 

 turl)ed on account of the eiect position. 

 In either case, the tops should, however, 

 be made lighter by cutting in the 

 branches so as to present an even 

 natural top. The other mode is repre- 

 sented by tig. 80, and applies mainly to 

 deciduous trees. The tree is first en- 

 tirely loosened by digging, and the two 

 wheels (with the tongue) are run up 

 against it. The top is tied into a com- 

 pact shape, and the tongne of the cart 

 placed erect against it, and both tied 

 securely. They are then brought down 

 horizontally, thus liftin;,' the tree (juite 

 out of the ground, and it is then drawn 

 to its desired place, and lowered in the 

 same way that it was lifted. We cannot 

 promise our correspondent so vigorous 

 a growth for the trees as he desires. 

 However careful and well-conducted the 

 removal is effected, there will be a great 



check given. Trees six inches in dia- 

 meter and twenty feet high, have 

 thrown out their roots at least twenty 

 feet in every direction, thus occupying 

 a circle forty feet in diameter. A very 

 small pait of this broad circle of roots 

 can be secured and carried with tJie 



tree, and a considerable check must be 

 given. The tops of the trees niust be 

 lightened by pruning, retaining a sym- 

 metrical form, to correspond in part 

 with the necessary mutilation of the 

 roots. Trees of the size mentioned 

 should have a removed circle of roots 

 eight or nine feet in diameter, and the 

 soil above the roots may all betaken off 

 down tothe massof the fibres to lessen the 

 load. Tho.se from a slicltcrcd swamp 



^vfeV. 



would lie too much exposed to the 

 winds of winter if removed this fall, 

 and the work should be left till spring! 

 Trees two or three inches in diameter 

 may thus be removed with comparative 

 ea.se ; but with a diameter of half a foot, 

 the labor and ditliculty are greatly in- 

 creased. 



