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It has been stated by authorities, who are in a position to know, thatthe ideal method of transplanting trees is by saving all of the rootsystem, if possible. This process is known as "combing" out the rootsystem. Under this method all of the roots are traced down to theirfine ends and then the roots are tied up in burlap in order to ore-vent excessive drying out of the fine fibrous roots, Transplanting in this way requires much more care, but it assures less loss than theother method, which is a violent process and requires strong recupera-tive powers in the tree which is transplanted. Drainage of Tree Pits. Ample drainage must be provided forlarge trees, especially when set in clayey soil. The soil with whichtrees are transplanted is normally a medium loam, not too compact incharacter. This soil is much more porous than the heavy clay soilin which the hole for the tree may be excavated. Consequently,the natural tendency during wet seasons is for the water to draintoward the tree pit and to "water soak" the loose topsoil in which thetree has been set. This really places the tree in a reservoir. A treewill survive such treatment if it can withstand extreme moisture con-ditions, or if the water drains slowly away. However, the tree isgenerally killed during the first season, or may survive in a muchweakened condition. The normal method of draining trees is to pro-vide a four-inch tile connected with some outlet in the form of existingtile drains, or lower ground, so that the water may be taken away.In the event that there is no opportunity to provide this type ofdrainage it is desirable to excavate a hole to a greater depth—approxi-mately three to five feet—and thereby provide below the tree a spaceof at least twelve inches which should be filled with broken stone orother porous material and in which water resulting from normal rain-fall may be collected. In this way the root growth may be kept fromdrowning. |
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