Transplanting

There’s been a flurry of fall projects continuing on portions of the greenway these past few weeks focusing on drainage improvements, transplanting shrubs and trees, and turf replacement.  Our Horticulture staff is been in the thick of it, working with a variety of contractors to get all of the work done.  We spoke with Stu, our Superintendent of Horticulture to get the latest update:

Stu, we noticed that there are trees being moved from one part of the greenway to another, what’s going on?

We are working with Matthew Foti Landscaping & Tree Service to move 18 trees that are located on the Carousel and Harbor Islands Pavilion Parcel in the Wharf District Parks.  These trees need to moved to make room for the new Carousel that will be under construction next Spring.  Fall is one of the best times to transplant trees.

Transplanted Tree in the Fort Point Channel Parks

What Types and Varieties of Trees are being moved?

Of the 18 trees, five are Hawthornes, 4 are Shad, 3 are Magnolia, 2 are Maple, and we have 1 each of Elm, Tupelo and Oak.

We’ve noticed that some of these trees are quite large.  How do they move trees of that size?

The company uses bare root transplanting techniques. First a large trench is dug around the tree, outside the dripline (edge of the canopy), then an airspade is used to carefully blow the bulk of the soil off of the roots, leaving the very fine root network undamaged while reducing the mass of the root ball, which reduces the weight of the tree and the equipment that must be used.  The tree is then immediately planted.

Where are the trees being moved to?

We are relocating the trees to other park parcels in the Wharf District Parks and Fort Point Channel Parks.

We noticed that the transplanted trees are a bit higher than other plants and trees in the planting beds.  Why is that?

We’re placed a basin of earth around the tree to be able to water them deeply during the first few weeks before they reach their winter dormancy.  Further, we expect a bit of soil settling as the tree gets watered and established.

Transplanted Tree in the Wharf District Parks.