Turning an untidy tree into a beautiful work of art for transplant

Transplanting a tree requires careful preparation best undertaken by experts. Crown reduction and general pruning is one of the first steps to be completed, as seen in these pictures of Charles and his team. They have worked together on so many of these projects that while Charles is in the tree doing the pruning he can trust the practised eyes of his foreman Themba and his right-hand man Ova to judge and gauge the balance and aesthetic appearance of the tree.

Unfortunately this process puts the tree into a state of shock and it needs special feeding to maintain its good health, for which Charles applies a special supplement food spray to give the tree additional energy before the transplant. Then the roots have to be checked and the root ball specially prepared, enclosed and protected, before it can be picked up by a crane truck.

This Natal mahogany is to be transplanted from one part of Plettenberg Bay to another for practical and aesthetic reasons.

Trees are frequently regarded as being “in the way” on new building sites or on properties with sea views, for example, and either cut down or indiscriminately “topped”. This is often unnecessary and even tragic when one considers the great contribution trees of all kinds make to beautifying, enhancing and moderating often bland or downright ugly environments.