Transplanted trees ‘ gasping for breath’
SPOT CHECK Trees planted by the British in Lutyens’ Delhi have become feeble due to old age. To save these trees, officials have suggested transplantation of existing trees. But does the model work? HT visited a site where trees were transplanted during t
NEWDELHI: More than eight years have passed since at least seven trees were transplanted from Delhi University to the Yamuna Biodiversity Park before the 2010 Commonwealth Games. While two have died, most of the remaining trees are literally ‘gasping for breath’ with a few slender branches and a very thin canopy.
These trees had grown up in the Delhi University (DU) and were proposed to be felled to pave way for the Rugby stadium inaugurated in July 2010.
“Two out of the seven trees — haldu and sissoo — have already died. Five trees, including four peepal trees and one bombax tree — managed to survive. But most of the peepal trees are in poor health,” said CR Babu, professor emeritus and head of the Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystem (CEMDE) at the DU.
In the past eight years, most peepal trees have just developed a few slender branches. Their canopies are very thin. Compared to this, a normal peepal tree develops a thick canopy in the given time period and becomes home to many birds, insects and reptiles among other animals.
It took the authorities at least two to three months to complete the transplantation process from the DU to the Biodiversity Park.
“A large pit was dug around the tree. The branches and roots of the larger trees, particularly the matured peepal trees, had to be trimmed heavily so that it could be transported on trucks. Growth hormone had to be administered to the roots. The site where they were to be transplanted was prepared. The trees were lifted and their roots system along with the soil was packed in jute bags. Only then the trees could be transported on trucks and brought to the Biodiversity Park for transplantation” said Matured trees have less chances of survival compared to young ones
Deciduous trees better than evergreen trees
Soft-wooded plants are better transplanted than hardwood plants
It should have thin canopy.
Root system should not be well developed
Minimum trimming of branches and roots
Monsoon is the best season for transplantation
The new site should have good soil condition, enough nutrients and moisture Post-transplantation care is a must
Plant should be lifted along with ball of soil with as many roots as possible and taken to the new position immediately
Place the plant in the pit and add fine soil. The replanting is to be done to the same depth as was at the old location
Faiyaz A Khudsar, biologist and scientist-in-charge of the park.
Experts said while on one hand transplantation of trees, particularly matured trees, is not an easy task, most of the trees do not survive the shock and die. The survivors continue to limp as their roots and branches are trimmed heavily for easier transportation.
“The survival of a transplanted tree depends primarily on two factors — its age and the site where it is being transplanted. If the tree is large and matured, its chances of survival
Prune the crown of the tree to a third. Minimum trimming of roots to be done
Wash the roots before replanting. or leading a healthy life are much less. If the soil condition is rocky, the trees won’t survive. We also lack the proper expertise to transplant trees,” said KS Rao, head of the botany department of DU.
“Most trees can’t withstand the shock. The larger the canopy and the more developed is the root system, the lesser the chances of survival. It is because when the trees are uprooted, its branches and roots are heavily trimmed. They cannot absorb water and nutrients from soil as the roots are trimmed, neither
Cover the root ball with damp material (burlap, peat moss, canvas) which will retain moisture
can they manufacture their own food properly as the leaves and branches are gone. Weakness sets in and they become vulnerable to microbe attacks. The tree ultimately dies,” said Babu.
The bombax tree, which was pretty young when it was transplanted, was seen to be healthy. At least one peepal tree, which was also young during transplantation, was healthy. But the matured peepal trees after eight years of transplantation looked as if they were malnourished.
“One needs to be an experi-
Roots should not be injured. If the earth breaks away from the root area, smear it with clay, cow dung and water enced gardener or an expert on this process to carry out a successful transplantation. It is because things might go wrong at various stages which might lead to the death of the tree. It could be difference in soil condition, water logging, proportion and nature of fertilizer, timing of transplantation, species of trees among others. Post transplantation care is very important for the tree’s survival,” said Anchal Sodhi, who runs an NGO and has been supervising tree transplantation over past few years. NEWDELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday directed officials to geo-tag plants and monitor their survival rate when Delhi government’s mega plantation drive begins in September.
In a meeting on Saturday, Kejriwal also sought a detailed report on the survival report of the plantations done in the last five years in Delhi.
The CM also directed officials to launch a mass awareness campaign to increase public participation in the plantation drive, an official statement issued by the CM’S office said. The plantation drive is scheduled to begin from September 1 under which a total of 32.27 lakh saplings are likely to be planted, officials said. The CM also sought to create a helpline for the event so people can find out about the nearest location for participating in the drive.
Officials said the issue of postplantation care was raised during the meeting. Kejriwal said all plants should be geo-tagged and that a monthly report on the same should be submitted to him, the statement said.
“The CM made it clear that responsibility of the survival of the plants would rest with the respective greening agency. Forest department would be the nodal agency for all coordination works,” deputy CM Manish Sisodia said.
Sisodia also asked agencies to involve resident welfare associations, market associations, school children and their parents in the drive. “We have to reach the grassroots to make it a grand success,” Sisodia said.
The CM has also called a meeting with heads of department of all the greening agencies on Tuesday for another review.