Planted trees in 12" knit bags

[5030tinkerer]

Re: Planted trees in 12" knit bags

"How do you get them out again to transplant or sell?

A nylon strap around the base of the tree and an easy lift with your loader and it's out of the ground. The bag cuts extemely easy with a knife, and just peel off the bag."

I have fifty or so silver maples planted in the ground in the five gallon pails. During planting, I put about a one to two inch dirt cover above all of the pails (you can no longer tell that pails are even down there from the surface). You mean I can attach a nylon strap to the base, pull straight up with the loader, and have the trees and bucket come out of the ground without ripping the roots to shreds?

 

[Glenn9643]

Re: Planted trees in 12" knit bags

"How do you get them out again to transplant or sell?

A nylon strap around the base of the tree and an easy lift with your loader and it's out of the ground. The bag cuts extemely easy with a knife, and just peel off the bag."

I have fifty or so silver maples planted in the ground in the five gallon pails. During planting, I put about a one to two inch dirt cover above all of the pails (you can no longer tell that pails are even down there from the surface). You mean I can attach a nylon strap to the base, pull straight up with the loader, and have the trees and bucket come out of the ground without ripping the roots to shreds?

I believe the knit bags that GB used restrict root growth through them, pruning the roots and encouraging further growth within the bag. He posted links in posts above that explain the system.
If your maples planted in 5-gallon pails didn't have holes for drainage I can't understand how they're still alive; if they did the roots surely have gone well into the ground and will probably have to be cut to lift the trees. Depending on how long they've been in the pails the roots may have also circled around and matted up so that they will eventually choke off the tree.

 

[5030tinkerer]

Re: Planted trees in 12" knit bags

The trees were planted last September or so. I'll try pulling one up and hope for the best. Everything is still dormant here, though not for long.