Here’s a series of photos from an air-tool transplant project executed last week by a crew from Matthew R. Foti Landscape and Tree Service of Lexington, MA. These guys have been using air tools to bare-root trees for some time now, and they have refined the process pretty skillfully.
Shown here are a very large treeform Taxus and a smallish Cornus kousa. The Kousa Dogwood had been planted only about 8′ away from the Yew, and probably had been sheltered by it in its early days. At this stage, though, their crowns had been competing, and a revised landscape design gave further reason to spade out and move both plants.
Taxus and Cornus kousa planted closely together, as part of a larger planting that has already been dismantled.
The Bobcat has dug a trench, and the crew is blowing soil into it. Note that the Yew's branches have been tied up to keep them out of the way.
Taxus is a deeply rooted plant -- notice the trench depth, and presence of roots in the lower part of the mound.
Soil and rocks fly during the process, so eye and ear protection are essential. The white jumpsuits keep these guys from getting covered with soil (color is optional).
Bobcat continually takes blown soil out of the trench and stockpiles it.
Double-teaming a soil clod. Pushing the nozzle down into the root mass helps loosen soil inside it.
Pigtailing the roots -- tying them in long bundles -- helps keep them protected and out of the way.
Twine holds the pigtails together; when the plant is ready to move, twine can also be used to tie the pigtails back to the trunk, to keep them from dragging during transport.
Progress shot. Look at how deep the trench is. The Taxus is nearly ready, and shortly the crew will move on to the Cornus kousa; when both trees have been blown out, they will be separated and moved to new locations.
The following week: Taxus in a new spot, looking relaxed and healthy
Final shot. Asymmetry in the Taxus crown reflects its previous location in a larger planting.
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Deborah Howe
Taking Place In The Trees 
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