Moving a grown-up tree from its place to another place is called tree transplantation. It is a tree-saving procedure to conserve a member of our green ecosystem. It's a necessary evil to avoid felling down trees for the sake of road extension or construction. This saves a tree that has grown to a mighty size over the years from being destroyed overnight.
1) Knowledge about the tree species:
For uprooting or translocating a tree, one should have basic knowledge about the tree, climate, sunlight, soil, water requirements, and the best season for that particular tree to be transplanted.
2) Identification of Translocation Site:
The translocation site should have a suitable climate, sunlight requirement, soil, etc., for the tree transplanted.
3) Diagnosis and treatment against pests and diseases:
This is done by a professional to avoid post-transplantation shock. Some trees may have several kinds of pests and diseases. Pests might be insects, mites, or nematodes. Diseases might be due to bacteria and fungi.
4) Soil testing:
It's done to know the property of the soil on the existing site and the site where the transplantation is going to be done. Soil texture, structure, pH, ion exchange property, etc., can be known from the soil testing.
5) Demarcate the root zone of the tree:
Drench the soil around the collar region of the tree so that the tree's feeder roots can properly be identified. The zone between the trunk and the root system is called the collar zone. Feeder roots are the roots that absorb water and mineral nutrients from around the soil. If demarcation isn't done, an important part of the root system will be lost.
6) Trenching around the root system:
Careful digging is done to make a circular trench around the base of the tree. The trench can be made by crowbars and spades if manual digging is preferred. Mechanical spades are used to uplift the tree with the least damage. The trench diameter and the depth of the tree vary as per the species, age, and condition of the tree. It's generally double the size of the rootball, to be expected.
7) Rootball preparation:
Roots with a compact clump of soil around are called rootballs. Roots are carefully trimmed on all sides. The bottom side roots will also have to be cut off. The root ball with trimmed roots will be wrapped around before transplantation.
8) Pruning of branches and roots:
Cutting and trimming of long branches and roots in a phased manner for a period of about three months. The cut ends of the branches and roots have to be applied with chemicals like pesticides to avoid infection and infestation. Plant hormones are also required to initiate profuse sprouting of new roots. The development of new roots is an indication of the success of rootball preparation. The ratio of retained branches and roots should be proportionate.
9) Hardening of the tree:
Uprooted, the well-treated tree is made to get hardened and reinvigorated for better survival on the new site. Hardening means exposure of roots to the climatic vagaries for a period of time. The hardening makes the tree survive in the new site. Reinvigoration means the sprouting of buds on tree trunks and branches and the initiation of new roots.
10) Burlapping:
The tree is slowly tilted to a convenient side to raise the root ball. The raised root ball is tightly wrapped and packed with a cover made of gunny bags or durable synthetic material. As much as possible, the entire rootball has to be covered. Wrapping of the root ball is called burlapping.
11) Trenching for translocation:
The trench on the transplantation site should be two to three times the size of the root ball but not of the depth. The depth should be slightly less than that of the height of the root ball. Trenching can be done either manually or by using a JCB.
12) Sterilization & fertilization of new trench:
Sterilization is the application of suitable disinfectants over the soil surface. It's used to control soil-borne pests and diseases. Fertilization means the application of a suitable nutrient mixture.
13) Transportation:
The burlapped tree will carefully be transported to the transplantation site using a sufficient workforce, mechanical lifting systems, and carrier - cranes and trucks of various capacities. It should be done very carefully to avoid any damage to any part of the tree. Care should be taken so that no one person gets injured during the process.
14) Transplantation:
The tree will be slowly, gently, and carefully lowered into the already dug pit or trench. Fill the gap in the trench with soil by using spades. It's also be done carefully by using a sufficient workforce and mechanical lifting systems. Care should be taken so that no one person gets injured during the process.
15) Post-transplantation care:
Giving support with the help of wooden or metal poles. Scaffolding is required for about one and a half to three months, depending upon the tree's condition. Chemical treatment against pests and diseases is also done to avoid insect infestation and disease infection. Hormones will be applied to hasten to sprout of leaves and branches. Pruning will also be done to remove unwanted stray branches.
So some species of trees can be moved without much risk due to their high power of rejuvenation. Some trees can be moved with much care. Some tree species can't be moved due to their poor rejuvenation capacity. Guidance from a professional should be taken before any tree transplantation.
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