The Charlotte Democrat., 1890-04-11
Moving Big Trees.

The success en- trdnspLdntinq large trees
in Chic0go.
The transplanting OF large trees has
been reduced to science, and is prac-
ticed with great success in several cities.
Mr. Edgar Sanders of Illinois, has a very
interesting article on the subject in the
March No. of the Anne rican Agriculturist,
which we herewith reproduce:
The removal Of large trees and planting
them upon the borders of streets and
tent in Chicago than in any other part
of the world. During the early years Of
the citY's growth the business was per-
formed in a very crude manner, and the
only trees thus removed were poplars,
willows, and soft naples. They were
trimmed to mere poles when transplanted,
but took root and were soon covered with
leafy growth. But these have mostly
disappeared as business encroached upon
the residence quarters of the city and
dwellings were replaced by business
structures, which left no room for shade
trees. Meantime greatly improved 81 s.
tenn has been adopted and a much better
class of trees are used. The noble and
stately American elm is at the head Of the
list, which includes linden, ash, hard ma
pie, and other first-class trees.
No size, even up to three feet in diane
ter, seventy-6ve feet high, and it may be
a century old is too large to grapple with.
Great trucks with wheels eight feet in
diameter and capable of bearing a mass
of ten or more tons of soil and tree are
used Trees have been moved fifteen
miles which are still growing and have
been since the centennial year of 1875.
Last year the superintendent Of Graceland
cemetery moved two elm trees growing
within six feet of each other. The larger
was three feet six inches, the smaller over
three feet in diameter. They were moved
nearly halt mile in one solid mass as
they grew, but 10 this case they were
opefated by house-moving apparatus
with Windlass and chains. The treet
came out in full leaf and grew all the
summer as if they had never been dis
turbed. But these are exceptional cases,
showing to what extent the business has
been carried. To take an elm OF OH foot
diameter two feet from the ground aud
transplant from the native forest, Or re-
transplant as soon as new residence is
completed in a new residence quarter is
common occurrence. The cost is about
twenty five to fifty dollars, which is con-
sidered very small matter in view O.: the
immediate effect produced. A tree eight
inches in diameter is regarded as of good
boulevard size. Such as that can be
planted, with half dozen loads OF soil ad,
herring to the roots, for twenty-five dol
lars each. A single tree is enough for
lot of twenty five feet front, or, at most,
three are plenty tor fitty.toot lot Any
one who can spend $4,000 to S., 900 for
house and lot would much sooner have
shade-trees at that cost than TO wait a
quarter OF a century for them to grow.
A tree twenty-five feet high has roots
spreading TO diameter of perhaps fifty
feet. This ramifying mass is not all
moved, but mass OF earth, three to six,
or even eight feet in diameter next to the
boil of the tree is moved solidly. Ii the
nature of the soil will not otherwise allow
its removal it Is taken during freezing
weather. When the soil is frozen in
compact mass the tree is placed in posi-
tion, the trench about it filled temporarily
with soil, and the work finished when the
weather will permit. 1t is often done in
one season. but previous preparation of
year or two gives greater security of
success. This consists of cutting a trench
around the tree, severng all roots save
those Immediately beneath, filling back
the soil, and leaving Nature to partially
repair damages, which she will do by
starting a mass of 6brous roots. A tree
prepared in this way may be removed
with perfect safety. Every planter or
gardener, with his celery, wberry,
blackberry, raspberry. grapevines, roses,
or other plants, il he has not all the roots
with his subjects, will prune away por.
tion of the top, to balance the mutilation
of the roots. With this precaution, active
growth is promoted, instead OF the feeble
growth or possible failure from excessive
evaporation through the excessive LEAKAGE.
1t is the same with large trees. The lea.
age must be reduced to balance the root
power, and natures efforts to favor a liv-
ing growth will do the rest. A bungler
will chop the top and destroy it's 81 mme.
try. A good pruner will have an eye to
safety of growth and the future contour
of the tree.
Whatever the preparation in it's first
situation, the new home Of the tree must
not be neglected. Manure is not wanted,
but good fresh soil is. II this is not natu.