Section One: General

1.1 Scope

This document gives recommendations for techniques for transplanting trees which are to be moved with a ball of earth around their root, be that in the form of a conventional field grown root-ball or of a large container. The standard describes the penetration of the planting site, planting and aftercare.

Root balling is recommended on small sizes of some species of tree as nature dictates. All other genus and species will be balled or container grown if the required girth at one metre from ground level is 18 cm or greater.

The techniques described here also apply to large shrubs.

1.2 Planning

1.2.1 Choice between large specimen trees and other nursery stock

Factors that will influence the choice between root-balled and other nursery stock include:

• Whether or not an immediate impact on the landscape is considered essential.

• The species, varieties and sizes of the plants available. There is usually a greater choice of small nursery stock than for larger root-balled trees. Small nursery stock is likely to prove the most adaptable to change, provided that the species is suitable for the new soil conditions.