transplanting trees with backhoe

[trlong]

Jim,

Just a thought. Could the Firs use any pruning before moving? The loss of roots will make it harder for those left to sustain the entire tree. If there is any pruning that can be done, there would be less tree for the roots have to nurish. Just a thought and may not be the right time of year to be pruning Firs...would have to check. I do know that damaged roots should be cleanly trimmed. In any event, no more than 1/3 of the tree should be pruned in any given year.

Good luck. I had enough of a time bringing a 5' diam. x 3' tall "Birdsnest Spruce" from downtown Waterbury up to my place last year. Used the burlap, formed a chain basket to pick it up, and carried it in the FEL. But then rootball was only about 3' diam..

Tom

 

[trlong]

Jim,

Thought I should check on this as I wasn't sure. The pruning advice goes as:

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue">"Evergreens such as fir, pine and spruce trees require little pruning, unless you want to control their size or improve their fullness. Other wise pruning is limited to removing dead branches.
The new growth on evergreens is referred to as "candles" because of the candle-like shape of the branch tips. Cutting the candles back halfway, before the needles unfold, will keep the tree more compact.

Candling should occur between late March and mid-May, depending on the area and the weather.

Don't try to prune once the needles have opened fully or you may end up with a misshapen plant, since these trees cannot replace their growing tips.")</font></font>

Good luck,

Tom

 

[JimMorrissey]

Not a bad idea....unfortunately the trees were planted really tight and the "inside" of the trees are kind of dead due to limited light. So, I'll try to do that if it fits, otherwise the new neighbors get the dead side /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I know, that's bad.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Buck,

Always look forward to your advice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Paddy]

Check out the new National Geographic mag. They show a BIG tree being moved. The root ball was more of a root disk, 3' deep by 43' wide.

 

[Jstpssng]

We used to "candle" in May by hand,taking out all the protruding new growth on pine rows. It promoted denser growth within the hedge itself.

 

[JimMorrissey]

I saw that the other day....awsome. I think it weighs something like 400 tons!