What is the most priceless object in the landscape? If you guessed a mature tree you are right.
A large shade or flowering tree is irreplaceable. It provides shade and cooling in summer and it can reduce the cold blasts of winter wind. It gives a new landscape the appearance of being established and in scale with the nearby architecture. For many of us a beautiful tree has great sentimental value.
Large trees give a sense of permanence and stability to a house and garden. That’s why, Wallace Landscape Associates, landscape architects, work so hard to preserve existing trees. Trees are a priceless asset in the landscape, so we do our best to design around them and we protect them from damage during excavation and construction. But sometimes a large healthy tree stands in the way of necessary construction, such as a home addition, so we are called upon to move 30, 40, or 50 foot mature specimens. Using the latest advances in equipment and plant science, we rarely lose a tree.
When you look at a large tree it may seem like an impossible task to move it. It can be done, but it requires time, effort and expertise. First Wallace Landscape Associates landscape architects evaluate the health and integrity of the tree. There is no point in moving a tree that is deformed or in poor health. When we are convinced that a tree should be moved, we first treat the foliage with an anti-desiccant to help it retain moisture. The root system is also treated with a substance so that it can withstand the shock of digging. Transplanting a large tree is comparable to major surgery for a human being.
Large trees are always hand dug by our experienced Wallace Landscape crews. I am so proud of these hardworking men and the fine job they do. They are committed craftsmen. Whether they are building a beautiful stone wall or planting a flower garden they take great pride in their work. They are part of the reason we’re always happy to put the Wallace Landscape Associates signature on our installations.
After the root ball is securely wrapped and tied, heavy equipment is used to move it. The tree is handled very gently at every step. As it is coaxed out of its present setting and moved to a new location it is watered and treated with care. After transplanting it is in recovery for a year or more. Careful attention to watering is a must for the first year. Moving such a large plant is a labor intensive process, but recycling an existing tree actually saves our clients money and prevents loss of a valuable landscape asset.