Isaac Hicks & Son, Westbury, N. Y— Moving Large Trees 
5 
One of the Hicks' Patent Tree-Movers. — We have invented the method of 
digging which preserves the small feeding roots. The roots have a spread of 30 
or 40 feet. After digging, the tree is grasped by the hinged cradle and swung over 
horizontally by a screw. In this position, trees may pass under electric wires. 
Moving of Large Deciduous Trees 
We have developed this to a permanent success, as demonstrated by the numerous photographs in 
this Catalogue and by two or three thousand large trees we can show. It is as sure an investment as the 
planting of ordinary-sized trees. In fact, our records show that it is much more certain. _ 
This result has been accomplished by persistent, scientific and mechanical work during the past thirty 
years. It has been made possible 
by the large number of patrons of 
landscape art who have been willing 
to go to the expense of quickly com- 
pleting the beauty and comfort of 
their country residences by planting 
large trees. Another factor is the 
good roads, permitting a long haul 
of heavy trees. Another is the 
sandy subsoil, free from rock, which 
permits the growth on Long Island 
of numerous fibrous roots and their 
preservation by methods of digging 
which we have invented. 
Our success is due to many 
factors which it is impossible to 
accurately define, but which result 
in the ability to decide the com- 
parative difficulty of moving vari- 
ous trees. We are frequently called 
on to move a certain tree. It re- 
requires some financial courage to 
decline profitable work, but it has 
proved good business and horti- 
cultural practice. 
The wide system of roots is a 
unique part of our method which is 
especially essential to the best im- 
mediate and permanent growth of 
the tree. We do not know of any 
other system of large-tree-moving which employs it. It is the principal reason for the expense of the work. 
A little calculation will show why it is so. A broad-leaved tree, as Maple, Elm, Oak or Linden, has an 
immense surface of foliage constantly evaporating. There comes a time of drought with hot sun and 
drying winds when the soil is dry. Moisture must be drawn from a wide area, or else the tree will drop 
its foliage or allow some of the branches to die. By our system, there are roots drawing moisture from the 
whole circle of 30 or more feet in diameter. 
There is a popular opinion which we run against in many parts of the country where unscientific 
methods of moving large trees have been practised, that large trees live a year or more, but become ragged 
and thin, and either are unsightly for several years or die after struggling a few seasons. This is based on 
the method of moving deciduous trees over 10 inches in diameter, 25 feet high and 20 feet spread, with 
less than 8 feet spread of roots. Six or 8 feet spread of roots may be just sufficient for some, easily trans- 
planted species not over 8 inches in diameter, 
25 feet high and 15 feet spread, but it does not lead 
to sure or vigorous growth. Our method has at 
least ten times as great an area for moisture supply, 
as can be seen by comparing the area of an 8-foot 
circle with one of 30 feet. 
This explanation should silence the statement, 
"Big trees cannot be moved; They always die; 
It doesn't pay; They are always stunted; Small 
trees overtake them." However, as erroneous ideas 
die slowly, we expect to repeat this explanation 
and show the proofs for many years to come. - 
To any one in doubt, who wishes evidence 
before undertaking large tree-moving, we offer to 
show them, by an automobile trip around this 
region, several hundred large trees that are vigor- 
ously growing at full normal density. We can show 
the locations of some failures and the reasons why. 
How to Order. Decide what you need large 
~ ' trees for, and look through this Catalogue for trees 
* ^'•-.'"•'iV-: * offered which may fill that requirement, or write 
- us, stating your needs. A visit here is a help and 
so is a visit on our part to your place. 
We can deliver large trees by tree-movers. 
Illustrating root-system of 100 avenue trees moved for over the roads, to any part of the western half of 
Mr. Clarence H. Mackey Long Island. We can ship, by rail, large deciduous 
