A 60-ton, all-terrain crane was used to move this live oak (Quercus virginiana), in the first of two moves ten years ago in Miami. This tree and another similar sized live oak have doubled in trunk width since relocation. Photo by Jeff Shimonski
post-relocation care is as critical as the physical pro- cess of relocating the tree.
The last large-scale tree relocation project I worked on involved moving over 100 mature trees and palms—and many of them twice. This was done for the 18-acre (7.3 ha) site development of Parrot Jungle Island (now Jungle Island), a privately owned zoological theme park in Miami. The challenge was to create a mature canopy as rapidly as possible. Before development, there were 150 extant mature trees and palms.
The original development plan called for demolition of all trees because it was seen as being cost effective. I convinced the owners that mature trees could be relo- cated successfully and they allowed me to proceed. After selecting out the trees in poor condition (or those considered invasive), we had 80 trees remaining. These were all moved offsite to a holding area and
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brought back onsite when construction allowed. This process took almost two years. There were also about 30 other mature trees and palms brought in from other sites or nurseries.
Now, more than 10 years later, all trees have thrived. Many have more than doubled their DBH. This proj- ect was done without the use of any commercial soil additives, fungicides, or commercial fertilizers. This sustainable project has been a success both ecologi- cally and financially with no loss of trees due to issues associated with their relocation. Three of the largest trees were struck by lightning and are certain to have a limited life span. Several trees succumbed to windthrow during various hurricanes—but all were replanted and seem to be doing well.
—Jeff Shimonski, Director of Horticulture, Jungle Island, Miami, Florida
City Trees
