Do not trifle with trees
Human beings as a species possess mobility as an innate quality. Nomadic instinct inherent in them might have died down after scientific development gained pace and things started moving in their direction rather than their moving in search of things. Now, after experiencing the comforts of settled existence, human beings resort to moving out only if tempted by better opportunities or threatened by loss of livelihoods. In either case, they experience certain difficulties in terms of nostalgia and acclimatisation during initial stages.
Trees, unlike human beings, are static in nature. Once they push their roots deeper at some place, they normally do not brook translocation and it takes some time before they regain their vigour.
Even young saplings, when transplanted, show signs of withering away by way of drooping leaves and absence of vigour. Now the latest talk doing rounds in the circles of the so-called tree lovers is about translocation of trees. Translocation, irrespective of the age or species of the tree, is being argued about as the only alternative for conserving greenery.
However, it is not completely true and trees experience tremendous shock when uprooted and moved from one place to another. Two things that need deep consideration in translocation of trees are their age and type.
“It is a wrong notion that every tree, at any stage of its life can be transplanted successfully. Problems do crop up with regard to settling down and re-establishment of the roots,” says an expert.
However, translocation of trees becomes mandatory some times, especially in the present day when projects are expected to be finished in a jiffy.
Translocation may also be needed when changes are desired in the landscape with immediate effect. However, a little thought and care before transplantation will save the tree from miserable death.
“Plants to be transplanted should not be too old vis-À-vis their life span. Translocation of a fish-tail palm in its 12th year will make no meaning as its life span does not exceed 20 years. Within the same cost, it would be sensible to plant a hundred fresh ones,” the expert says.
The order of preference with regard to translocation should start with potted plants. They, by virtue of being grown in containers, take the least time to adjust and thrive.
A few nurseries sell trees uprooted along with the earthen ball, which may be avoided if possible. The worst choice would be to uproot a well-established well-aged tree and plant it somewhere else.
Much depends on the type of the tree to be transplanted too. Trees with tap-root system should be avoided as they develop lateral roots to a great length over a period of time.
Rain trees are another species that can not survive transplantation after certain age. Ficus, on the other hand, survives transplantation splendidly.
Once the plant to be transplanted is chosen, all its edges need to be pruned using a saw.
Axe should never be used as it will cause stem dry-back and jeopardise the tree’s survival. Pruning is mandatory to minimise the food requirement by the tree before it establishes at the new location. The tree may also be de-foliated to some extent. Cut edges may be treated by using a proper insecticide or fungicide.
Time and trench
“Next step in transplantation would be to dig up a trench to a side of the tree. Care should be taken not to encroach the root zone of the tree while digging. A plastic sheet should be placed between the soil and the roots and the dug up soil should be pushed back. The same process should be repeated on all four sides evenly spaced out with a gap of 7 to 10 days between them,” the expert explains.
SWATHI V.
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