Tree Transplantation Company Helps Save Specimen Japanese Maple
SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc, (www.bigtreesupply.com) was recently asked to move a large, mature Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ Lionshead Japanese maple from a property in North Seattle to the Washington Park Arboretum. The tree was being donated to the Arboretum as it had outgrown its current location. Big Trees checked the site, determined what would be needed for the transplant and was able to successfully transplant the tree to its new home.
In Big Trees’ experience, it is a common problem that trees planted years or even decades earlier will outgrow their spaces. One of Big Trees services is to transplant trees, moving them to another location in the same yard, bringing the trees back to their nursery to rehome, or moving them to another property. The company has also found that there are many reasons why trees may not be a good candidate for transplanting. One of the biggest reasons is if the site doesn’t afford access to where the tree is located or to where the tree is slated to go. Another is if the tree is too close to a house, sidewalk, or other structure that prohibits digging a large enough rootball to ensure the tree’s survival. If these factors can be handled then the tree can be moved safely.
When Big Trees was asked to inspect this Lionshead maple they found it had no major impediments and was a great candidate for transplanting. Big Trees spent the first day digging and securing the rootball. Then the canopy was tied up and the tree was ready to be lifted. The second day they used a 10,000lb reach forklift to remove the tree, load it onto a flatbed and tie it down to move it across town to the Arboretum. The receiving hole was pre-dug by the staff at the Arboretum and when the tree arrived, it was carefully rigged, lifted and unloaded. Once the tree was in the hole and turned the way the Arboretum staff wanted, all rigging, burlap and ropes were removed prior to finishing the planting. The rootball was then top dressed with mulch and the transplant was complete.
Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, stated the following on the successful transplant: “I love projects like these. A local community member appreciated the value and beauty of this specimen maple and went through the expense and effort to find a permanent home for it. How cool is that? They now have a new tree that looks as if it has been growing there for decades and it’s there to greet people as they come to visit the Japanese Garden in the Arboretum.”
Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.
Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/
https://arboristblog.com
https://bigtreesupply.com