Wife's new idea

[acme97]

So, my lovely bride got her dander up about folks not following the half circle drive at our place in SC. Of course in all honesty, it's not a well defined or graveled drive, so I understand and really don't have an issue right now. Anyway, she wants to plant popular's around the inside of the half circle to define that edge. We have ton's growing on the place so finding ones is no issue. I can do everything from a little sappling to 20ft or so. My question is how to get them out and replanted so they will survive. Of course I can always just keep replacing them, but that would not be my first choice. Here is what I have to work with.

Kubota L35 (4n1 with backhoe), Kioti DK50SE (with root grapple).

My thoughts are to use backhoe, dig around all the sides about 2ft from tree, then use a strap around base of tree connected to backhoe to lift. At same time, use shovel to cut away under tree. Then, use Kioti to transport.

Thoughts?

 

[smstonypoint]

Keith,

You have a legitimate excuse to delay this chore.

Per this link, the roots should be pruned before transplanting to increase the chances of survival: HGIC 1055 Transplanting Established Trees & Shrubs : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina

Steve

 

[randy41]

you could buy poplar seedlings. they grow very fast.

 

[BeezFun]

Thoughts?

We bought lombardi poplars about 5 years ago, they came in the mail bare root, I bet they're 30' tall now. I'd forget the tractor, get out your credit card, and order a bunch online.

 

[acme97]

you could buy poplar seedlings. they grow very fast.

Why pay for what I have . I'd rather go ahead and transplant some I have and get a head start. I really do have tons of ones to choose from, so it's really a matter of figuring out how to do it so they will survive.

 

[acme97]

Keith,

You have a legitimate excuse to delay this chore.

Per this link, the roots should be pruned before transplanting to increase the chances of survival: HGIC 1055 Transplanting Established Trees & Shrubs : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina

Steve

Great info Steve. I think you're right about pushing off until fall. I'll just give her some tape to flag the one's she likes. I suspect I'll take 8-10 trees to do what she wants. Have to go find the spacing for populars.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Is that circle big enuf that you will never need to cut across the inside with a long vehicle?
larry

 

[Baby Grand]

If you select some of your existing trees' offspring, you can be comfortable knowing that the variety likes your specific conditions (rainfail, soil type, temperature zone, insects, viruses, fungi, etc). Plus they are free. I like free.
-Jim

 

[acme97]

Is that circle big enuf that you will never need to cut across the inside with a long vehicle?
larry

Good point Larry. The circle is quite large, plus I plan on having another drive way that will run along one side of the yard to the barn so for any long vehicle that would be the way for them. I'll have to post an overhead shot later that might help.

 

[J_J]

Tree spades,

Why not try one of these. You can purchase one or perhaps make one .

 

[acme97]

Tree spades,

Why not try one of these. You can purchase one or perhaps make one .

That would be great, but don't weld and can't afford to buy one for the limited use I would give it. Of course alway willing to borrow one if someone has one close .

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Ok my 2cents worth is why add more yard work for yourself? The trees shed leaves that need to be cleaned up. They get big and can break and fall in storms. Why not use some kind of nice fencing to outline the circle? She can hang flower pots on the fence if she wants to..
If you feel the need to plant something even though you have a bountiful supply is try Arbor vitae (Junipers sometimes). You can prune them into shape as well...

 

[beppington]

I think you can rent tree relocaters.

The bottom line is that anything you do other than using a shovel is gonna cost at least some money.

 

[Mace Canute]

Ok my 2cents worth is why add more yard work for yourself? The trees shed leaves that need to be cleaned up. They get big and can break and fall in storms. Why not use some kind of nice fencing to outline the circle? She can hang flower pots on the fence if she wants to..
If you feel the need to plant something even though you have a bountiful supply is try Arbor vitae (Junipers sometimes). You can prune them into shape as well...

Gawd yes! Define the driveway with something - anything - other than poplar trees. Even a few good sized rocks would be better.

 

[acme97]

Ok my 2cents worth is why add more yard work for yourself? The trees shed leaves that need to be cleaned up. They get big and can break and fall in storms. Why not use some kind of nice fencing to outline the circle? She can hang flower pots on the fence if she wants to..
If you feel the need to plant something even though you have a bountiful supply is try Arbor vitae (Junipers sometimes). You can prune them into shape as well...

Ever successfully win an arguement with a woman that had her mind made up? I don't disagree about fence and that's my idea, but she wanted Oaks til I told her we would be long dead before they arched the driveway. I think it's the whole pretty southern drive view thing.

 

[acme97]

I think you can rent tree relocaters.

The bottom line is that anything you do other than using a shovel is gonna cost at least some money.

True, in the most technical interpretation, but don't think can convince her that I would need to spend $400-600 for another toy. I'll have to see what renting something might be. Worst case, smaller tree and shovel works.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Acme I can't disagree about winning an argument with the Misses. Keeping the little Lady Happy isn't a bad thing. You can show her that the collective wisdom from this site sort of thought tree's woudn't be a good idea. Not that I am wise at all. Maybe I am getting lazy in my old age and look at the up- keep aspect now.. How ever it ends up good wishes to you..Poplars are a pretty soft wood and tend to shed themselves of leaves and branches pretty easily.

 

[Mean Jean]

Poplars transplant very easily.
Spring and Fall are the best times.

Find a branch which is 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in dia.
Chop into 12 inch lengths.
Stick them in water for 12-24 hours.
Plant them bud side up.

Crazy how fast these buggers grow.

 

[dstig1]

Poplars are pretty much weeds. I doubt it is possible to kill one. That is, until they fall over in a wind storm and are pretty much fully rotted by the time they hit the ground. I have a lot of them at my land where they logged some oaks many years back. I whacked a ton of them last year. Hate 'em.

 

[newbury]

Ever successfully win an arguement with a woman that had her mind made up? I don't disagree about fence and that's my idea, but she wanted Oaks til I told her we would be long dead before they arched the driveway. I think it's the whole pretty southern drive view thing.

Yes, I have frequently won arguments with women who had their mind made up.
SWMBO's are like barges and bulls, you should not try to change their course abruptly and even then you should make them think it's their idea.

Oaks make perfect sense. But for now get some of the fastest growing tree you can get, AND your poplars, AND high quality oak saplings. Spread them out. The fastest should form a boundary next year, your poplars in a few years, and the oaks a bit down the line. You just have to cut down the less valuable ones while the oaks, which SWMBO wants, grow up.

/what SWMBO wants SWMBO gets, .... kind of