Last week Matt Foti sent me photos of a bare-root transplant his crew performed on 25 March 2012 in downtown Boston. They blew soil off the roots of an 8.5″ caliper weeping hornbeam tree (Carpinus betulus ‘Pendula’), and moved it from one end of the city block to the other. Take a look at this beauty:
This 8.5″ caliper weeping hornbeam tree is getting transplanted from a bed on Summer Street, outside Boston's Federal Reserve Bank building. Note the pigtails on the tree’s near side, and the thick burlap wrapping to protect its trunk.
- The tree being moved to its new home in a 3-4′ tall planter on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Congress Street. Burlap tied under the root mass helps contain loose soil during the move.
Weeping hornbeam in its new location. The Federal Reserve does an excellent job tending its plants, so this one should get the consistent aftercare all transplanted trees need.
With this warm winter and spring, trees have been leafing out several weeks early; this one had just begun to leaf out before it got moved. The Foti crew has had good success moving trees bare-root even during bud-break; it’ll be interesting to watch this tree and see how it settles in to its new home over the coming year.
Deborah Howe
Taking Place In The Trees 
Astounding! Now – let’s see what happens to it. I would never have thought of moving a mature hornbeam, weeping or happy, this way and in this season.
Fantastic…! How can we get in touch to purchase your video on that topic?
Looking with great interest your work from Montreal, canada. Trying our first one this week. Lets start small and work our way slowly…
What a gorgeous form that tree has!
It is beautiful, isn’t it? The Federal Reserve plantings are always so well put together, and their Hort staff does an incredible job of maintaining everything.
Cindy, I just looked at your blog, and am so looking forwarding to reading more! The lantern slides you posted are a treasure.