Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-01-28
Transplanting
Trees and Shrubs
By J. III. BRODIE

(Note.-This is a paper read before |
recent meeting of the Henderson |
Garden Club
I am indeed flattered at being ask |
ed to address the Henderson Garden |
Club on the subject of tree moving, |
being the worlds poorest speaker [
am herein giving you a few ideas
gathered in my very limited expert
ence with this most interesting oc-
cupation. nr
Usually when we think Of trans
planting we have in mind some place
we feel requires a tree Or shrub or
many of them, either for utility or
decoration, tying in With it's surround
:ngs and identifying the landscape as
a whole.
Therefore it is necessary to select
tie tree or shrub best suited to the
location. There are those that require
pecu lar soil conditions, others that
due to a shallow roofing habit must
have partial shade. So both soil and
exposure must be considered along
with their artistic or service value,
also their growing hacit. For example
no one would wish an elm adjoining
flower bed on account of it's root
ing characteristics. If the new loca-
ton isn't suitable on account of soil
or exposure, it must be made 50. IF
l wish to have dogwood blossoms
adorn some vacant spot unprotected
by partial shade, / create the neces-
sary shade for. their root system and
at the same time give the tree a more
natural setting by planting trees or
shrubs ON or around the southwest
side. This gives a background for a
blooming shrub or tree and aids great
, ly in maintaining the acid soil con
dition a dogwood requires. Of course
it is always more satisfactory. to
transplant any tree or shrub in its
most natural setting. This can often
be done in suburban locations where
nature has not been so greatly dis
turSed, but on bare lots it would seem
to me that one should very carefully
consider soil requirements and ex-
posture along with other requisites.
1 In selecting plants I am always in
fluenced by soil conditions, the con-
dition Of the plant and its possible
/ adaptability to the new location. If /
j find the root system to be poor, I
either cut back the branches severely
i or select another plant. Usually you
can tell great deal about the root
! system by the branches for well de-
veloped branches usually means a
good root system. Having selected the
tree or shrub for its new location I
make every effort to create, if it
doesn't exist, a favorable. soil condi-
ton. Holes are dug about one-third
larger and deeper than is actually re-
quired to accommodate the roots or
ball of earth moved. After the good
soil has been cleaned out and placed
to one side for reuse and the clay
or poor earth removed, dig up deeply
and thoroughly pulverize the cotton
of the hole; if this earth is tight and
soggy remove and replace with good
soil mixed with gravel so that the
roots will have that all important
drainage. I then put in rich soil to a
depth that will cause the tree when
finally planted to be slightly deeper
than it originally was, place the roots
carefully in the hole, cover them over
five or six inches with very rich soil,
packing same around roots and then
water down to avoid air spaces A
light layer of compost can then be
put in to advantage, fill to grade with
rich soil and mulch over with well
Uttered compost or woods mould
When there is ball of earth moved