Root pruning and other pre-care proce- dures may be carried out months ahead of the physical relocation. This encour- ages the development of a more com- pact, manageable root system, which will be less shocked during the move. “We’ll let it sit, if we have the luxury, for a whole year if time allows,” says Marks. The Big Move On moving day, specialized equipment and techniques are used to ensure the safety and viability of the tree. Big Trees of California, for example, is cur- rently involved in a project that will re- quire moving a California Pine roughly 20 miles. “They wanted a big signatory tree, and California Pine is endemic to Califor- nia,” he explains. “So, we identified the tree and we’re going to lay it over on a truck, but there’s a lot of care involved.” Techniques like boxing the root ball or using cranes are common. One unique and effective method is Environmen- tal Design’s ArborLi ® tree relocation system, which Marks says has signifi- cantly enhanced the survival rates of relocated trees. “We applied large pneumatic bladders, if you will, that are long, thin tubes, and they weigh about 150 pounds apiece,” Marks explains. “And at 30 PSI, they can pick up almost 200,000 pounds. “You still need a couple of track hoes, depending on the size of the root ball, to navigate the root ball, particularly on unlevel ground,” he continues. “Then, we usually pull the ArborLi ® bladders with a skid steer loader around to the front, and then it rolls up onto the next ArborLi ® bladder. “Then the next one comes out the back, and they pull it around, keeping a cal- culated number of bags strategically placed under the load. So, we have a system where the guys are all work- ing together to move the tree, similar to how the Egyptians moved extreme
A crane is used to nudge a mature tree across Environmental Design’s ArborLift® large pneumatic bladders.
thing else, you identify where it is,” he says. “Problems on the job site, a steep grade, the potential of the tree tipping over — everything is identified before we do anything.” Marks says that the involvement of ex- perienced arborists is crucial during this step. They assess the tree’s health prior to putting it through the stress of transplanting. “When you have somebody who wants to spend a large sum of money mov- ing a tree, you want to deem that it’s healthy,” he says. “And we have certi- fied arborists on staff that will go and look at the trees and, in some cases, climb the trees and make sure that there aren’t any issues health-wise.” Also, consultations with various city departments may be necessary to man- age logistical issues like street closures or traffic management during the move itself. This ensures a safe and efficient relocation process. Pre-care Pre-care is vital when you’re moving a tree, and typically involves watering, pruning, and possibly fertilizing the tree to ensure it is in optimal health be- fore the move.
machine to drill our holes to put our pipes in because you couldn’t pound them. There’s no way to go through it.” Another consideration when it comes to soil condition is the soil’s texture, nutrient content, pH level, and drain- age capabilities. These factors can in- fluence the tree’s ability to adapt and thrive post-move. Ensuring compatibility in soil condi- tions between the two sites helps facil- itate a smoother transition for the tree, enhancing its survival prospects and promoting healthy growth in its new environment. Site and Tree Inspection Before a tree can be relocated, a thor- ough inspection of both sites and the tree’s health is also crucial. This step helps identify potential challenges such as pests and diseases, proximity to buildings, access to the site, and the presence of underground utilities. Holland explained that his team does safety meetings and walkarounds before any excavating is ever even planned. “If there’s any kind of utility within the area, it’s marked out. If there’s some-
42 | ArborTIMES Summer 2024
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online