Travelman starts with ...
We have a lovely Illawarra Flame in our new Sunny Coast hinterland acreage that unfortunately has been planted far too close (3m away) to a lovely big Red Cedar, and we want to try & relocate the Illawarra Flame to a more visible spot. We thought we would try and do it ourselves, rather than employing a contractor with a tree spade, but not sure if thats a foolhardy ambition. We've started the process of cutting through the roots in sections around the base, and its looking like its going to be a hefty root ball to lift and carry, so will need a few helping hands. But what I don't know is whether I'm tring to do the impossible as maybe these trees have a long tap root which might make the task impossible. The tree is about 6m high with a base diameter of 18cm. Can anyone give any words of wisdom?
We have a lovely Illawarra Flame in our new Sunny Coast hinterland acreage that unfortunately has been planted far too close (3m away) to a lovely big Red Cedar, and we want to try & relocate the Illawarra Flame to a more visible spot. We thought we would try and do it ourselves, rather than employing a contractor with a tree spade, but not sure if thats a foolhardy ambition. We've started the process of cutting through the roots in sections around the base, and its looking like its going to be a hefty root ball to lift and carry, so will need a few helping hands. But what I don't know is whether I'm tring to do the impossible as maybe these trees have a long tap root which might make the task impossible. The tree is about 6m high with a base diameter of 18cm. Can anyone give any words of wisdom?
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Travelman
Eudlo, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
30th June 2009 8:33am
#UserID: 1729
Dekka says...
Other Brachychitons like Kurrajong and Bottle trees have deep tap-roots so Flame tree probably does too. That doesn't mean, however, that if you sever the tap-root you will definitely kill it. Most of the feeder root system will be towards the top of the tap-root so preserving as much of that as you can will help. You'll probably have to stake it out with diagonally opposed guy ropes and make sure it gets regular water. Pruning beforehand will reduce stress but the effect it will have on the form of the tree may mean you end up moving a handsome tree only to turn it into a "Quasimodo" during the process.
If it was my place I'd plant a few more different Brachychitons and make the Cedar the feature.
Other Brachychitons like Kurrajong and Bottle trees have deep tap-roots so Flame tree probably does too. That doesn't mean, however, that if you sever the tap-root you will definitely kill it. Most of the feeder root system will be towards the top of the tap-root so preserving as much of that as you can will help. You'll probably have to stake it out with diagonally opposed guy ropes and make sure it gets regular water. Pruning beforehand will reduce stress but the effect it will have on the form of the tree may mean you end up moving a handsome tree only to turn it into a "Quasimodo" during the process.
If it was my place I'd plant a few more different Brachychitons and make the Cedar the feature.
Dekka
Newcastle
30th June 2009 1:17pm
#UserID: 102
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