12 ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY CIRCULAR 51 



Before digging the tree, mark a branch that faces north 

 (or any other direction) so the tree can be properly reoriented 

 when planted. 



Digging the Tree 



After the branches are tied-in the tree is ready for digging. 

 Deciduous trees under 2V-i-3 inches in trunk diameter, measured 

 1 foot above the ground, are usually moved with bare roots. 

 "Bare root" means that most or all of the soil is removed from 

 the roots when the tree is dug. Thus a tree can be dug with a 

 larger root system than if it is taken with a ball of soil. 



The digging operation consists of trenching around the tree 

 and removing the soil from around the roots. Dig the trench far 

 enough from the tree to preserve a large proportion of the 

 fibrous roots. This distance is usually 6 inches for each inch of 

 diameter of the trunk. Thus for a tree with a 3-inch trunk the 

 trench would be 18 inches from the trunk. Make the trench deep 

 enough to extend below the level of the lateral roots ; the depth 

 may vary from 12 to 18 inches. 



After digging the trench, remove the soil from around the 

 roots. It may be shaken off if the tree is small or it can be 

 loosened and combed out of the fibrous roots with a spading fork. 

 Special care is required to keep root injury to a minimum. This 

 is accomplished by working inward from the trench with the 

 spading fork. Greater root protection is obtained if the tree is 

 moved with "semibare" roots — some soil is left clinging to the 

 fibrous roots. This added protection will help the tree recover 

 more rapidly. 



After the lateral roots are free of soil, tip the tree to remove 

 the soil from under the plant. Tip the tree very gradually to 

 avoid straining or breaking the roots and loosening the bark 

 near the base of the trunk. Cut any anchor roots or tap roots 

 that still hold at a depth of 14-18 inches. To lift the tree out of 

 the hole, grasp it at the junction of the roots and trunk. Pack 

 the exposed roots in some moisture-holding material, such as 

 straw, sphagnum, peat moss, sawdust, shingle tow, or wood 

 chips, and wrap in burlap to protect against drying and mechani- 

 cal injury. 



"Balled and burlapped" means that the soil is not removed 

 from the roots when the tree is dug. This is referred to as a 

 B&B tree by the nursery trade. Deciduous trees 21/2 or 3 inches 

 and larger in trunk diameter, measured 1 foot above the ground. 



