Question on lifting tree into planting hole

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

I am about to plant about 20 evergreens I purchased from a local nursery. The plants range from 4 to 6 feet each and have a burlap covered root ball.

I was thinking of using a towing strap to wrap around the botton trunk of the tree to lower the tree into the hole. The technique used to lift and lower the new tree can also be used to lift the tree back out of the hole if the hole is not deep
or wide enough.

I have hooks on the FEL or should I life with bH?

 

[Ryno1]

You really don't want to wrap the strap around the trunk. Doing it that way places all the stress on the trunk. Sometimes theres no other way but that should be the last choice. Moving them to the hol, slid front of fel under the rootball and curl back, then if supports needed, wrap the strap around the rootball. You can usually set the tree close to the hole and let slid in gently. Getting it out can be a problem. Best to measure, rootball and hole. Sometimes I'll run a strap under the rootball and leave it until I'm sure the tree is in place. Then it can be used (with fel) to help lift the tree out. Usually not to hard to get the strap out, a little pulling is all.

 

[Tdog]

I transplanted a lime tree that we had growing in a large whisky barrel on our deck to a permanant location in April '04. I used criscrossed ropes under the rootball & lifted with the BX FEL. I did not have enough height to get the FEL completely above the top of the tree, so the tree sorta rode sideways to its new home. I had to lower in into position a couple of times to get the hole just right. Once I was satisfied, I just pulled the ropes out. Worked OK for me.

Good luck. I only had one to do, not 20, thank goodness.

 

[beenthere]

Ryno1
You are right, IMO too.

The bark on a tree this time of year is covering the new growing layer of very succulent cells (cambium layer) and stress on the bark this time of year may just slip the bark right off the tree, or if not that drastic, may just be enough to damage those thin cells to effectively girdle the tree.

I would hoist the root ball with a net of chains (car chains would do well) or straps to do the lifting and positioning. With a measuring stick, one shouldn't have to take the ball back out because the hole is the wrong depth.

Too much money and time and effort in the tree and the hole to mess up killing the poor tree by grabbing its stem or trunk. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SPIKER]

One other thing too the tree should not be planted too deeply, same depth as before but a little above the old depth is best. fill up with dirt up & around to the old level the hole will sink anyway and if the tree is then below grade it will pool water and swamp it out causing some later survival problems.


also count me as a NO aginst lifitn using the tree stump,
Makrm

 

[frank_f15]

make the holes a bit wider than u need, but measure the depth of each root ball and dig your hole accordingly.Best to not have to remove it , as it is to easy to damage the tree.

 

[tciller]

Planting a tree is easy and digging the right depth and size of hole is critical. Just take your shovel and lay it across the ball. Dig the hole a bit wider than that length. As for depth do the same sort of thing. Stand the tree up and set your shovel next to the ball check the depth of your hole the same way. No need to place and replace the tree. Roll the balled tree into the hole sort of level the trunk and bury it.

 

[ferrickside]

What is the best technique for removing a tree for transport and replanting elsewhere? (The more my tractor is involved the better!!) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

What do I attach to it and how do I attach?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[meledward23]

Removing a Tree ?

Is the tree already dug, B&B, or are you talking about Transplating?

 

[ferrickside]

Yes, transplanting... taking it out of the groung without hurting it...