A TRANSPLANTING TIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19970, 11 December 1926, Page 3

A TRANSPLANTING TIP.

A desire to shift a tree or shruh from one part of the garden often occurs, perhaps to a more suitable locality or, in the event of removal, to another garden some distance away. This cannot always bo done with any guarantee of success, for under the best of care a tree will flag and die. especially in tho case of evergreens, conifers, etc. The method explained below, however, is calculated, with ordinary care, to give very satisfactory results. A few weeks before the time for removal, dig a trench all round the tree or shrub so as to expose tire thickest roots without unduly disturbing the ball or soil or any of the fibrous roots. a rule, when the tree is lifted, the long deep roots suffer from being forcibly pulled up, and if cut often put bach the progress of the tree long after it has been replanted. By exposing the roots, and severing them with a sharp knife or saw some time before the tree is removed from its original position, new fibrous rootlets which will readily take hold of the new soil are induced to bo put forth around the cut. After the roots are cut. the excavated soil is returned; but the formation of roote will take place quicker and more surely if damp sand is placed - around the out part and a layer of leaves or rotten manure placed over before the soil is returned, It may be. in favourable weather, that the soil need not be filled in at. all, rather allowing a sandy mulch that can be kept moist to take its place. Transplanting must take place quickly The new tender rootlets must not be unduly exposed, and. if the tree is to be carried some distance, the whole ball or toots must be bound up with damp sacking or other material