Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-04-17
SCIENTIFIC TREE MOVING.
How Trees of Large Size Are Trans.
planted Successfully

Inc transferring of trees is at pres
ent so scientifically conducted that II
is not necessary to wait 10 or Is wears
Tor shade trees to grow for ones
grounds or to ornament the landscape
with large specimens OF trees In
Iact. parks and the surroundings of
country seats can be made to order
these days, the grounds about the res
idence being beautified and shaded
while the home is being constructed.
Al number of villages on Long
Island can be seen fine specimens of
| forest growth ranging from 25 to so
years old, moved carious distances and
replanted, yet are growing vigorously
and to all appearances are in perfect
health. They include such specimens
as silver maple, Norway maple, beech.
blrch, linden, fir, hemlock and cherry.
Apparently 1t would seem impossible
to transplant a tree so feet in height
with trunk varying from one to two
and half or three feet in diameter at
the base, for even a novice realizes
the extent of the roots which spread
through wide area of ground in all
directions, yet the operation is being
performed with complete success.
What is known as tree mover. the
invention of Henry Hicks of Westbury.
N. Y, has been adapted for the pur.
pose. In operating with this appara-
tus, the tree, if of IA to 16 inches in
diameter of trunk, is dug by starting
a circular trench with a diameter of
80 to 40 feet, An undercut is made he.
meath the roots with a light prospect
ing pick, and the soil picked out and
caved down with a spreading fork OF
picking rod, the points of which are
rounded to avoid cutting off the roots
The loose dirt is shoveled out of the
bottom of the trench and the roots are
uncovered. tied in bundles with lath
yarn and bent up, out of the way OF
the diggers. If the roots are to be out
OF the ground even for one day in dry
weather, the bundles are wrapped in
clay mud, damp moss and straw or
burlap. When the digging has pro-
crossed within four to eight feet of the
center, the tree is slightly tipped over
to loosen the central ball. which
cleaves from the subsoil near the ex.
tremities of the downward roots. On
! sand or hardpan subsoil this is at
| depth of two to five feet. In deep soil
it may be necessary to cut some down.
ward roots A ball of earth Is left in
the center from to ~ feet in diane.
| ter. or as heavy as can be drawn bv
four to eight horses. This ball is not
) essential with deciduous trees. bur II
is easier to leave it than to remove
and replace the soil. With fine rooted
! trees like the red maple, it is difficult
to pick out the soil. while with coarse
! rooted trees, like the beech, in gravel.
ly soil the ball drops to pieces.
In loading for removal, the cradle of
the mover, which is pivc:ed above or
back of the axle, is swung over to the
tree. the trunk first being wrapped
with cushions and Stats. It is thus
| clamped to the cradle by chains and
screws without injuring the bark. BY
means of screw nine feet long oper-
ated by ratchet lever or mandrake
| wheel, the cradle lifts the tree from
the hole and swings 1t over in hori.
zontal position. Pulling in the same
| direction by tackle fastened in the
top OF the tree aids the work of the
screw. After the tree is loaded. the
roots on the other side of the axle are
tied up to the perches. The front
wheels are on pivots, therefore the
roots are not broken by the swinging
OF the axle. The roots are next drawn
aside to put in the pole and drivers
seat. Planks are placed under the
wheels and the mover is pulled out of
the hole by tackle.
The hole to receive the tree Is pre-
pared with layer of soft mud in the
bottom, which partly fills the crevices
between the roots as the tree is low.
cred into it. The weight of the tree is
not allowed to rest upon and crush
the downward roots but is Summarized
by the mover until fine earth ie
packed in. Soil is worked down no.
tween the center roots in the form NJ
mud by means Of stream Of water
ana packing sticks. The side roots
arc next unwrapped and covered to
their natural depth. While the tree is
horizontal. 1t is usually pruned. the
outside being cut back orc 10 three
feet cutting to crotch or bud and
the remaining twigs thinned out about
one-third. Hardwood trees and trees
win few roots need the most severe
pruning
Until 1t is firmly embedded. the tree
IS secured by guy wires. Anchor
posts are set slanting Az feet In the
ground with cross piece just below
the surface. Two to six strands of
galvanized steel wire are used. run
from the posts through pieces of hose,
around the tree and back to the post.