How to transplant trees into real estate project

Created By RISC | 3 years ago

Last modified date : 2 years ago

When you visit a development to buy a home, have you ever wondered where the beautiful big trees came from?​

These trees don’t grow in the project area. They are transplanted after being pruned to facilitate transport and reduce transpiration. Each step needs a lot of attention as the trees are at their weakest when being transplanted. Roots lose 80-90% of water and nutrients to nourish the plants. Leaves perform less photosynthesis to generate energy.

There are 3 types of tree transplanting: ​

- Bare root transplanting is to remove the soil from the roots, then lift the tree to plant it in another spot. This method doesn’t need large machines. But it needs to be done fast because tree roots in direct contact with air cannot absorb water. So this approach suits small trees and sandy soils.​

- Ball and burlap is another popular method in Thailand, in which soil is wrapped around the tree base and roots. This can help maintain the root system and is convenient for transport. But this method takes longer. Soil balls are heavy so large machines are required, which can be expensive. Care is need not to break the soil balls, which would affect the root system.​

- The box method is similar to creating a soil ball. The difference is to make a structure around the soil ball to protect roots. This method is more expensive and commonly used to transplant large trees from overseas in cold regions. ​

We also need to consider the transplanting period. Trees like the monkeypod, Bauhinia purpurea, and Dolichandrone serrulata can be transplanted right away by pruning, digging, making soil balls, and then moving them to a new place or tree nursery. This method can't be used for some plants such as fruit trees like mangos and Dillenia indica. We need to dig them up and cut off some roots, add planting material like coconut fiber, before leaving their roots to break out, wrapping the roots in a soil ball, and lifting the trees out of the area. We call this method transplanting from a hole.​

The transplanting period affects some kinds of tree. Deciduous trees usually shed their leaves in Thailand during the early rainy season (May-June). Transplanting shouldn’t be done during new leaf production. Evergreen trees can be transplanted all year round.​

Tree transplanting requires many factors to be considered, such as species, size, distance, budget, and time of year. The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is choosing the right tree for the right place. Each tree type will be strong and grow well in its appropriate setting. That’s why understanding each type will help trees survive and grow as well as possible. ​

Story by: Thanawat Jinjaruk, Senior Researcher, Environment Division, RISC