Landscape Architect Articles

LCN Tree Care September, 200409-01-04 | News

Reinventing Tree Moving

Innovations in transplanting reduce costs,
speed project completion and improve survival.

By Bryan Williams and Andrew Baker

The cost of large tree moving can very widely based on number of trees moved, type of tree, soil condition and other environmental circumstances. However, a new transplant method almost guarantees considerable savings to any large tree moving project.

Scarlet and Earl Wilkinson had a problem. The property next to their serene, private Columbia, Maryland estate was only days away from being cleared for a road and subdivision construction project–destroying four beautiful 18 to 20-inch cherry trees in the process.

Wanting to save the large trees but with little time to spare, the Wilkinson’s contacted Worldwide Tree Moving and transplant specialist Bryan Williams. Thanks to a number of innovations in the field of large tree transplanting, all four trees were cost effectively and safely moved within a week.

Instead of using an expensive crane system or the time consuming pipe-driving method to lift and move a tree, the sled system places sleds under the root ball to move the tree. This way an excavator, tow truck or bulldozer can drag the tree to its new location.

The Wilkinson’s problem is similar to the problem many landscapers believe they face when considering large tree transplanting–too little time, too much cost and uncertain success. It is known that adding mature trees onto a developed property can add thousands of dollars to the value of the land. Historically, moving semi-mature and mature trees even short distances could take weeks to complete, cost tens of thousands of dollars and tear up the surrounding landscape. These problems made mature, large tree transplanting (generally 12-inch trunk diameter and greater) impractical for most landscaping projects.

Thanks to several recent innovations in transplanting technology, many of the problems that used to plague tree transplanting are no longer true.

A unique sled system has been adapted and mastered by Worldwide, improving the tree moving process in several ways.

The use of basic commercial equipment makes it possible to respond to customers rapidly, since only a few small pieces of special equipment must be shipped to the job site and the rest can be rented from a local equipment supplier.

The modular sled system has been effectively used to move large trees that are within yards of buildings and delicate structures. Even more, the modular tree system does less damage to the landscape along the tree-moving path and tends to put less stress on the tree.

Aside from being less expensive than other tree moving methods, the sled system disturbs less of the soil surrounding the tree, making it optimal for tight working conditions and also making preparation time just a matter of days or hours.

“We’re also conducting new research on predicting root system structure,” said Bryan Williams. “By better understanding the variables that determine how a tree’s root system forms, the proper root ball dimensions and shape can be made for each transplanted tree and will improve the survival rate.”

Predicting root systems modernizes the methodology tree transplanters use for root ball creation beyond the sometimes oversimplified rule of thumb “one foot of root ball diameter for each inch of trunk diameter.” The type of tree, along with soil, wind, water and sunlight conditions all have dramatic impact on determining root system development. Along with observations about root systems, this system has discovered, despite preconceived notions from consumers, that moving large trees during the late spring and early summer can be safely conducted if proper pre and post-care is performed. During the 90-degree Maryland late spring, the Wilkinson’s also had several Magnolias, Boxwoods, and a Dogwood moved. All of the trees were flowering beautifully before the move and showed no signs of stress afterward, thanks to proper knowledge about the root system, adequate rest for the tree after root pruning, and a unique post-care system.

Within a few weeks, another nine large trees were moved for the Wilkinsons, redesigning the entire landscape, putting in an allee of trees to shade the long driveway and creating a natural privacy shelter from the subdivision properties.

Part of the special post-transplant tree care offered to customers is an alternative to bio-stimulants and fertilizer–a new natural product called compost tea. This low cost way to add critical organics to the soil surrounding a transplanted tree brings the tree back to its natural state. Whether administered by company representatives or by customers themselves, the compost tea is a win-win situation for everyone–especially the transplanted tree.

The innovations within the tree transplanting industry offer new, exciting potential for landscape contractors. By making once-costly and time-consuming transplants affordable, rapid, successful and less obtrusive, the knowledgeable tree transplant specialist can be a valuable resource for many landscaping projects.