The Art and Benefits of Rootballed Trees

The Art of Rootballed Trees

Rootballed trees are a staple in gardening and landscape, offering both beauty and practicality. At Caragh Nurseries, we have honed the art of lifting rootballed trees to ensure they thrive in their new environments.

Introduction to Rootballing

Rootballing is done with specialist equipment, a rootballer which has a U-shaped arm that steadily vibrates, very slowly, causing no stress to the tree and more specifically the root structures it trims gently and then when it is fully undercut it protects the rootball allowing it to be lifted onto the hessian square that is laid flat ready to the tree.  The hessian is secured around the rootball and wires, if necessary are secured around this.  Do not remove any of this material securing the rootball before planting, this keep that rootball nice and snug and will breakdown naturally when planted.

This all ensures that the tree experiences minimal shock during transplantation, promoting healthier growth in its new home.  Lifting carefully and  meticulously our expert team maintain the integrity of its root system.  This technique not only preserves the root structure but also maintains soil moisture, crucial for the tree’s health.

The primary reason for lifting rootballed trees is to facilitate successful transplantation. Rootballing allows trees to adapt more seamlessly to new environments, reducing the risk of transplant shock. Additionally, this method supports the tree’s stability and growth, making it a preferred choice for both residential and commercial landscaping projects.

Fagus syl. Atropurpurea the Purple Beech is large but slow growing tree which colours a beautiful copper in late autumn. The Purple Beech has deep purple leaves that come in spring and turn copper in autumn. The tree does hold onto some of these leaves throughout the winter until the new shoots force them to fall. A good selection and availability of Rootballed sizes available

Quercus Rubra,  one of my favourites that I have in my own garden for its stature.  The Red Oak is very similar in large growth and habit to the Irish Oak with it’s toothed leaves and autumn acorns.  Its leaves turn a deep scarlet red in the autumn with a stunning display.

Liquidambar styraciflua,  another fantastic tree, such a stunner this large, deciduous trees autumn colour is second to none, ranging from fiery red, orange and yellow through to sumptuous purple.  Globed fruits made up of many spiked seed capsules in the Autumn, available in a range of sizes right up to a large semi-mature, rootballed

Acer Crimson King the rich red/purple Norway maple is a fast-growing tree, eventually quite large but easily pruned to confine its spread for many years. It is a handsome species, spreading to make a satisfying rounded crown and sufficiently robust to be grown in exposed positions, even as a windbreak.  A great range of rootballed sizes up to ma

Tilia platyphyllos  the Large leaved Lime is less common than the small leaved lime and not that different other than just the size of the leaves. The Tilia plat has a large heart shaped pretty leaf and the bark of the tree is darker, flowers are green/yellow and hang in small clusters. The Lime tree is especially valuable to wildlife. Some great avaiolability in medium to large sizes

It is a myth that you can’t plant in cold, wet or frosty weather, these winter months are ideal and the earlier in the season the better to allow for root establishment before the growing season kicks off.