PARK AND CEME-TERY 
164 
Deciduous trees may be moved at any season, the 
attendant success depending largely upon the care 
taken during and after the operation. If a frozen ball 
is to be taken it is advisable to do the necessary exca- 
vation before the soil freezes, and in weather when 
the mercury is above freezing. Into the excavation 
dry straw or leaves are loosely packed, and when the 
soil is thoroughly frozen the tree may be moved to its 
new location and the filling made with unfrozen soil. 
Midsummer or autumn are usually the best seasons 
for moving deciduous trees. In the autumn the sap 
does not flow freely and bruises are less likely to occur 
at the points of contact with the tree mover. 
The warm soil acts beneficially in that it encourages 
a rapid root growth before winter. Midsummer is 
desirable by reason of the growing state of the tree 
tion when done on trees having a tap root like that 
found on hickories and some oaks. 
Among the more notable, successful and commend- 
able methods is one adopted in the vicinity of New 
York, and another occasionally practiced on private 
estates, and recently adopted in a Massachusetts oper- 
ation. If carefully and intelligently conducted the 
former fulfills every essential requirement which ap- 
proved theory would demand as being necessary to 
securing a successful result. Use is made of a special 
wagon having a rectangular wooden frame fitted to 
the axle of the rear truck. The frame is attached 
at the vortex of one of its angles. In preparing to 
opefate the appliance the frame and rear truck are 
separated from the front truck and moved so that a 
linear side of the frame is parallel to and against the 
UPROOTING THE TREE; ROOTS SUPPORTED BY POLES. 
and its fully developed leaves encouraging root action 
to occur soon and cause rapid advance toward normal 
conditions of root action, absorption and transpira- 
tion. Unless carefully manipulated the summer mov- 
ing is critically dangerous. 
Besides the simpler methods, such as by stone boats, 
derricks, etc., special appliances, some patented, have 
varying degrees of merit. Special preparation for 
moving bears upon the success with which the tree 
may be moved. Unless done three or four years be- 
fore the time of moving we do not assert that root 
pruning is a wise preparatory measure. Such prun- 
ing should be done with a view to securing a mass of 
small fibrous roots in a restricted area and the method 
of moving should then be such as will unearth and 
virtually move all of these without damage. Root 
pruning as a preparatory measure finds some justifica- 
protection around the trunk of the tree. It is then made 
fast to the trunk, and pulleys and screw bars are at- 
tached preparatory to digging. Excavation starts at 
a distance from the trunk of the tree equal to that to 
which the branches extend. A narrow trench encirc- 
ling the tree is opened and the roots undermined. As 
the mining proceeds the soil between the roots is 
picked out or caved down by a narrow pointed iron 
bar. The soil is thrown out from beneath and the 
roots wrapped in wet burlap and tied up and back 
toward the tree and out of the way. This method 
proceeds until a distance of about three to six feet 
from the trunk is reached. If the tenacity of the soil 
allows, this central ball of earth is left undisturbed 
as a convenience in moving and by reason of the diffi- 
culty in properly replacing it when once removed. The 
center ball is undermined at a depth of from two to 
five feet beneath the surface and with the tree lifted 
