AU2004229027B2

AU2004229027B2 - Method of Transplantation

Info

Publication number: AU2004229027B2
Application number: AU2004229027A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Thomas Lawrence Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-12
Filing date: 2004-11-11
Publication date: 2010-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-11
Also published as: AU2004229027C1; AU2004229027A1

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE APPLICATION NUMBER - 2004229027 There is no page 1.

- 2 "Method of Transplantation" Field of the Invention This invention relates to the transplantation of trees. Background Whilst it has been common practice to be able to transplant trees such as palm trees, deciduous trees and the like quite successfully there has been considerable difficulty in attempting to transplant trees which have a specialised or restricted root system. Examples of such trees comprise The WA Christmas Tree (Nuystia floribunda) the Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) and Snottygobble (Persoonia longifloria) Sandalwood and the like. Attempts with each of these varieties have in the past failed and it seems that even a minimal disturbance of their root system can be pathological. Disclosure of the Invention Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "root ball" will be understood to refer to a volume of undisturbed remnant soil around the base of the tree. According to one aspect the invention resides in a method of tree transplantation comprising identifying a tree to be transplanted, excavating the soil surrounding the tree while stabilising a root ball comprising a volume of undisturbed remnant soil around the base of the tree, said stabilisation of the root ball comprising progressively excavating the soil from the surface downwardly and applying a -3 layer of a substantially waterproof sheet material around the sides of root ball as it is being exposed and tightly wrapping sheet material around the sides of the root ball for substantially the full depth of the root ball, the method further comprising inserting a support underneath the root ball, raising the tree and root ball from its original site whilst maintaining the tree substantially stationary with respect to the root ball, transferring the tree and the root ball to a new site, inserting the tree and the root ball into a hole at the new site and filling the hole to cover the sides at least of the volume of remnant soil. According to a preferred feature of the invention the method further comprises allowing a first period of time between excavating soil and raising the tree and root ball. According to a preferred feature of the invention said method further comprises causing the sides at least of the root ball to be overlaid by a layer of soil during said first period. According to a preferred feature of the invention said method further comprises transferring the tree and root ball to an interim site between the raising of the tree and its transfer to the new site and retaining the tree at the interim site for a second period. According to a preferred feature of the invention said method further comprises applying a fabric around and underneath the wrapped stabilised root ball, said fabric providing lifting points to enable the raising and transfer of the tree. According to a preferred feature of the invention the application of the fabric is effected after the tree and root ball has been removed from the site and said method comprises spreading the fabric out, locating a mound of soil in the central portion of the fabric, locating the base of the port ball on the mound and subsequently wrapping the root ball with the fabric. According to a preferred feature of the invention the application of said support comprises applying an annular support around the base of the volume of remnant soil and inserting radial supports across the annular support. According to a preferred feature of the invention said radial supports comprise elongate rod -4 elements said method comprising inserting a plurality of the elongate rod elements radially into the volume of remnant soil from the support and at angular displaced positions around the support said rod elements being supported from the annular support. According to a preferred feature of the invention said support further comprises a set of plate elements having a configuration conforming to a segment of the area defined by the annular support and said method comprises inserting the plate elements across the base above the rod elements. According to a preferred feature of the invention said method further comprises supporting the trunk such that the trunk is substantially stationary with respect to the volume of remnant soil when transferring the tree. According to a preferred feature of the invention the support for the tree when transferring the tree is provided by a transport frame having an upstanding support configured to receive and support the side of the undisturbed remnant soil. According to a preferred feature of the invention the transport frame includes at least one upstanding element which extends upwardly from the transport frame and the trunk is supported from the at least one upstanding element. According to a preferred feature of the invention the transport frame supports four upstanding elements which are to be at substantially equal angular displacements around the trunk. According to another aspect the invention also resides in a tree which has been transplanted according to the method as described above. According to a further aspect the invention resides in an annular support which in use is to be used to support a tree in the method of transplantation as described above, said annular support dimensioned to be received around the base of the root ball, said annular support being arranged and configured to receive a set of radial supports which are located at angularly spaced locations around the annular support, the annular support supporting the radial supports such that they will extend radially across the annular support.

-5 According to a preferred feature of the invention said annular support has a plurality of mountings at angularly spaced intervals around its circumference, said mountings providing lifting points. According to a preferred feature of the invention said radial supports comprise elongate rod elements which are adapted to be able to be inserted into the lower portion of the root ball from the annular support. According to a preferred feature of the invention said support further comprises a set of plate elements having a configuration conforming to a segment of the area defined by the annular support wherein in use the plate elements are to be located to be above the radial supports. According to a preferred feature of the invention the annular support comprises a set of part annular elements which can be fixedly interconnected to form the annular support. According to a further aspect the invention resides in a tree support which in use is to be used to support a tree when transferring a tree that has been removed from the ground with its root ball and comprising a platform which in use is to support the base of the tree and an upstanding element at one side of the platform which is configured to receive and support one side of the root ball surrounding the base of the tree. According to a preferred feature of the invention the transport frame wherein the upstanding element is adapted to also support the trunk. According to a preferred feature of the invention the tree support further comprises four upstanding post elements which are to be at substantially equal angular displacements around the trunk and form which the trunk can be supported. According to a preferred feature of the invention the tree support further comprises a lateral support which extends laterally from the side of the tree support having the upstanding element. The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of several specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figures 1 to 13 illustrate the sequential steps involved in transplantation of a tree according to the first embodiment; and Figure 14 comprises an isometric view of a transport frame according to the first embodiment which is to be used in transferring the tree between sites. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiment The embodiments relates to a method which has particular application to the transplanting of the WA Christmas Trees (nuystia floribunda) but also can be utilised with other varieties of trees which have a similar sensitivity to the disturbance of their root systems. The root system of the WA Christmas Tree is particularly sensitive to disturbance and all previous attempts to transplant such trees have failed because of this extreme sensitivity. Therefore it has been generally assumed that it is impossible to transplant such trees. This means that many trees are lost as a result of the encroachment into their habitat. The method according to the first embodiment and as shown in the drawings comprises selecting a tree at a site as shown at Figure 1. Once the tree has been selected, the soil surrounding the tree is excavated as shown at Figure 2 to provide a circular trench 11 around the tree. The tree is then left for a period of time and under dry conditions, at least, is regularly watered. After the first period of time additional soil around the tree is further excavated as shown at Figure 3 to define an enlarged annular trench 13 around the tree and a reduced volume of soil 15 is left surrounding the base of the tree. Again the tree is then left in an undisturbed state for a second period of time and in the event of dry conditions at least is regularly watered. After the expiration of the second period of time the volume of soil around the tree is further excavated in that the volume of the soil surrounding the tree is reduced to define a root ball comprising a volume of -7 undisturbed volume of soil 17. In so doing and as shown at Figure 4 the sides of the initial volume of soil 15 are removed sequentially from the top down and during that operation a plastic wrapping is tightly wound around the sides of the root ball as they are exposed. This excavation of the root ball 17 and wrapping of the sides of the root ball is continued for the full extent of the depth of the hole such that a root ball 17 is isolated around the base of the tree and is tightly wrapped by the plastic sheeting as shown at Figure 5 to prevent the disturbance of that soil. In order to lift the tree from its original site an annular support 21 is applied around the base of the root ball 17 as shown at Figure 6. The annular support 21 comprises a set of three part annular segments which can be applied around the base of the wrapped soil and fixed together to be in close engagement with the space. Each of the part annular segments are provided with apertures in the form of tubular spigots 23 which are intended to slidably receive rod elements 25 at angularly displaced intervals around the support 21 where the rod elements 25 will extend radially into the base of the root ball 17 across the support. The rod elements 26 are driven into the base of the root ball 17 at the base thereof and once in position a set of support plates 27 (see Figures 7and 8) are driven into the base of the root ball above the support 21 to overlie the rod elements 25. The plate members have a configuration corresponding to a segment of space defined by the annular support 21 and when in position are intended to overlie the annular support 21 and at least a pair of adjacent rod elements 25 to provide a support for the base of the root ball. In addition the annular support is provided with a set of angularly spaced mountings which are to provide lifting points. With the support 21 together with the rod elements 25 and the plate elements 27 in position the tree is lifted (as shown at Figures 9 and 10) through a set of fork like elements 29 which can be provided by a forklift, back-hoe attachment, front end loader, crane or like machine (not shown) which is connected to the mountings of the support 21 through a set of loops 31 of rope or the like. Once the tree and the root ball has been raised, any roots which extend beyond the under face of the support 21 are cut away and the tree is transferred onto at least one sheet 35 of a fabric which comprises a drainage membrane. In so doing a mound 36 of soil having the configuration of the underneath of the root ball is forced on the sheet 35 and the tree is placed on the mound. Once the tree together with the root ball 17 has been located on the mound 36 the fork-like elements 29 are removed the loops 31 are removed together with the annular support 21, the rod elements 25 and the plate elements 27. The volume of remnant soil is then wrapped utilising the sheet 35 of the drainage membrane such that the sides of the volume are fully covered by the drainage membrane and in so doing the upper corners of the membranes 35 are tied together and knotted to provide for lifting points around the root ball. A set of lifting cables 37 are then applied to the lifting points created by the drainage membrane 35 and the tree can then be lifted as shown at Figure 11 and located upon a transport frame 39 as shown at Figure 12 to facilitate its transportation. The transport frame is provided with a pallet-like base 40 which in turn supports an upstanding wall 41 having a part cylindrical configuration which conforms to the curvature of the side wall of the root ball 17. The outer face of the upstanding wall 41 is provided with a lateral support 47. In addition the base is provided with a set of four sockets at each corner of the base and each of the sockets are intended to receive an upstanding column 43. Once the tree and root ball is located on the transport frame 39, the trunk is stabilised relative to the root ball by ties 45 which extend between each of the columns 43 and the trunk. When so located the transport frame with the tree supported thereon can be located on a vehicle. In the event that it becomes necessary to tip the tree in order to reduce the height of the load on the vehicle the transport frame 39 is tipped such that the sidewall 41 is lowermost and therefore the side wall of the root ball is supported. The lateral support 47 serves to provide support for the transport frame in the tipped condition. The tree can then be transported to an interim site at which it is removed from the transport frame and is placed to lie resident at the interim site -9 for a third period of time until it becomes clear that the tree has survived the excavation process. Throughout this third period of time the tree will be watered. After it has been determined that the tree has survived the excavation process it is then transported to a new site and is located in the new hole according to conventional practice. According to another embodiment of the invention the tree can be transferred directly to a new site without being located at the interim site. On location of the tree at the new site the wrapping of sheet material 19 around the root ball is punctured or sliced or removed to permit root growth through the wrapping. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. The embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, materials and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

Claims

1. A method of tree transplantation comprising identifying a tree to be transplanted, excavating the soil surrounding the tree while stabilising a root ball comprising a volume of undisturbed remnant soil around the base of the tree, said stabilisation of the root ball comprising progressively excavating the soil from the surface downwardly and applying a layer of a substantially waterproof sheet material around the sides of root ball as it is being exposed and tightly wrapping sheet material around the sides of the root ball for substantially the full depth of the root ball, said method further comprising inserting a support underneath the root ball, raising the tree and root ball from its original site whilst maintaining the tree substantially stationary with respect to the root ball, transferring the tree and the root ball to a new site, inserting the tree and the root ball into a hole at the new site and filling the hole to cover the sides at least of the root ball.

2. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at claim 1 wherein the application of said support comprises applying an annular support around the base of the root ball and inserting radial supports across the annular support.

3. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at claim 2 wherein said radial supports comprise elongate rod elements said method comprising inserting a plurality of the elongate rod elements radially into the root ball from the support and at angular displaced positions around the support said rod elements being supported from the annular support.

4. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at claim 3 wherein said support further comprises a set of plate elements having a configuration conforming to a segment of the area defined by the annular support and said method - 11 comprises inserting the plate elements across the base to overlie the rod elements.

5. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein said method further comprises allowing a first period of time between excavating soil and raising the tree and root ball.

6. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at claim 5 wherein said method further comprises causing the sides at least of the root ball to be overlaid by a layer of soil during said first period.

7. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein said method further comprises transferring the tree and root ball to an interim site between the raising of the tree and its transfer to the new site and retaining the tree at the interim site for a second period.

8. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein said method further comprises applying a fabric around and underneath the stabilised root ball, said fabric providing lifting points to enable the raising and transfer of the tree.

9. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at claim 8 wherein the application of the fabric is effected after the tree and root ball has been removed from the site and said method comprises spreading the fabric cut, locating a mound of soil in the central portion of the fabric, locating the base of the port ball on the mound and subsequently wrapping the root ball with the fabric.

10.A method of tree transplantation as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein said method further comprises supporting the trunk such that the trunk is substantially stationary with respect to the root ball when transferring the tree. - 12

11. A method of tree transplantation as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the support for the tree when transferring the tree is provided by a transport frame having an upstanding support configured to receive and support the side of the undisturbed remnant soil.

12.A method of tree transplantation as claimed at claim 11 wherein the transport frame includes at least one upstanding element which extends upwardly from the transport frame and the trunk is supported from the at least one upstanding element.

13.A method of tree transplantation as claimed at claim 11 or 12 the transport frame supports four upstanding elements which are to be at substantially equal angular displacements around the trunk.

14.A method of tree transplantation substantially as herein described.

15.A tree which has been transplanted according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The annular support which in use is to be used to support a tree in the method of transplantation as claimed at claim 2 and any one of claims 3 to13 as dependant from claim 2 said annular support dimensioned to be received around the base of the root ball, said annular support being arranged and configured to receive a set of radial supports which are located at angularly spaced locations around the annular support, the annular support supporting the radial supports such that they will extend radially across the annular support,

17.An annular support as claimed at claim 16 wherein said annular support has a plurality of mountings at angularly spaced intervals around its circumference, said mountings providing lifting points. - 13

18.A support as claimed at claim 16 or 17 wherein said radial supports comprise elongate rod elements which are adapted to be able to be inserted into the lower portion of the root ball from the annular support.

19.A support as claimed at claim 16 or 17 or 18 wherein said support further comprises a set of plate elements having a configuration conforming to a segment of the area defined by the annular support, wherein in use, the plate elements are to be located above the radial supports.

20.A support as claimed at claim 16, or 17 or 18 or 19wherein the annular support comprises a set of part annular elements which can be fixedly interconnected to form the annular support.

21.A support substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings