Tree Transplanting

Trees are living kingdom. The life on the earth is sustained because of its presence. Globally, it is well accepted that trees are the only medium for sustenance of life, climate & check against global warming. With the passage of time science has invented no of inventions that helps in increasing the life span of human; increased grain production; increased luxury in life style and many more. This entire development has decreased plant population. National forest policy envisages 1/3 of the geographical area under tree cover; vis-à-vis Gujarat has only 9.27% forest cover. The social forestry activity has helped a lot in increasing tree density which has reached up to (14.6 trees/Ha.) (State of Forest report-2009 FSI Publication).

Trees grown outside forest areas mostly on strips; Fallow- gauchar lands are required to be removed for various development activities. Though, the rules envisages, plantation of double number of trees that is required to be removed. Yet, the plant takes its own time to grow in to tree there by it creates a void in environment locally. To overcome this problem, trials are carried out by both foresters and user agencies to relocate the trees those are required to be removed. Though very little, rather no success has been achieved. Not only it requires too many heavy machineries & huge man power. The post plantation care is also not an easy job. More over the survival rate is very less (less that 50%)

New Machine purchased and imported by GSPC From USA

Handed over machine to Forest Department on 13 July, 2010.

Tree Transplanting

Process for Transplanting

Pit Diging/ Tree Lifting

The tree transplanter works on hydraulic pressure generated by truck engine. Conical shaped 4 blades are arranged in such a way that it penetrates up to 5' deep in soil with top dia - 9' & bottom dia 4". Once all the blades penetrates inside soil, then the earth ball is lifted above ground level, there by a pit is dug or a tree with root stock is lifted.

• Tree transplanter comes in two models
  • 90D - Trees with basal girth 90 cm. can be lifted.
  • 100D - Trees with basal girth 100 cm. can be lifted.
• Trees above 100 cm basal girth cannot be lifted. Such trees can be transplanted with orthodox method.
• Silviculturally, it is considered that trees having basal girth above 100 cm. are mature or over mature. The vigour for survival in over mature trees is less compared to the younger tree.
• It is advisable to water the area thoroughly two days in advance to facilitate easy working. Both the sides (up lifting the tree and transplanting site). During monsoon this may not become necessary.
• Before working ensure that no underground development facilities are coming in the working zone.
• To reduce the rate of evaporation, minimizing moisture requirement, facilitating transplanting mechanically it is advised that 1/3 of the crown height from ground level may be lopped during cold season. During hot period 1/2 of crown height may be lopped. The forester after considering the local condition may take appropriate decision.
• Spectators may be kept at safe distance.
• All the sites should not have any underground facilities like drinking water / drainage / gas lines, cables, RCC construction or hard rock.
• While operation, all the precautions like, wearing helmet, not applying extra pressure beyond limit to the blades while penetrating, ensure stabilizing pad are placed at required position during operation and after operation.
• Forked trees should not be allowed.

Transport

Once the tree is lifted, then the entire bowl with tree is tilted to rest on the truck chassis.

• The branches should be either tide or trimmed properly to avoid any hindrance during transportation.
• Heavy traffic areas may require special assistance for road clearing.

Transplanting

After reaching the destination the pit digging process is reversed and a tree is transplanted.
The pit be treated with,

• Antitermite, antibacterial, antifungal treatment. (1/3 of the pit be filled with water,
• 50 gram of phorate powder, 30 ml. of antibacterial liquid, 30 ml. of antifungal liquid,
• 20 ml. root promoter (IBA solution), may be pre dissoled and poured in the pit).
• Add 10-15 kg. of organic manure (wormicompost/compost).
• After transplanting a ring bund of 2 mtr. radius be made manually and it should be watered thoroughly.

Post Transplanting Care

After transplanting it should be watered thoroughly. 2-3 watering per week during first month and then after 1 watering per week for 1 month is found suitable. It also observed at the leaves shed off in 1 month. New leaves sprout thereafter. In case of termite attack necessary treatment may be given.

Additional Machinery and Manpower Requirement

• One water tanker with driver and labour.
• One labour for lopping branches at uprooting sites.
• One labour for treatment to the pit at transplanting site.
• Spray pump, bucket, hand glows, shovel, branch cutting/loping instrument.
• Necessary fertilizers, insecticides.

Time for Transplanting

Depending on distance between two places, traffic and reroute, site condition and access to the tree to be uplifted it varies. In Gandhinagar division in plain ground 10 trees could be transplanted in a day varies on a road side only 2 trees could be transplanted.

Season and Time Suitable For Transplanting

Monsoon and winter are preferred. Very hot months i.e. April, May, June should be avoided.

Soil Strata

Every kind of soil with soil depth up to 2 mtr. is suitable. Soft murom areas are difficult in the operation. Penetration of the blades becomes very hard. Such areas should be vigorously watered. The operator should be vigil inough while working in such areas. Hard murom, rock, bouldery soils are not advisable.

Age And Size of Tree

• Tree transplanter comes in two models
  • 90D - Trees with basal girth 90 cm. can be lifted.
  • 100D - Trees with basal girth 100 cm. can be lifted.

Trees above 100 cm basal girth cannot be lifted. Such trees can not be transplanted with this machine.

Silviculturally, it is considered that trees having basal girth above 100 cm. are mature or over mature. The vigour for survival in over mature trees is less compared to the younger trees. There fore, Silviculturally trees below 100 cm. basal girth are not advisable for transplanting.

Species Wise Suitability For Transplanting

In Gandhinagar division around 1500 trees are transplanted in last two years with survival rate of 85%. It is obeserved casuality amongst trees transplanted during very hot season (May/June) is more. It is also observed that survival rate of non coppicing species like Babool, Neem, Ailenthus etc. are less surviving compare to others. Following table gives the details of species wise number of trees transplanted and its survival percentage after 1 year.

Cost of Transplanting

It estimated that complete operation i.e. transplanting and post transplanting care will cost around 4000/- Rs. per tree.

Trees Transplanted and Its Survival Status

Till 12, October 2012

Tree Transplanting in Following District

2850 Trees Till 27, May 2014

View All Photos