Trees pruned back for uprooting
Pruning back and uprooting
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Trees have to be pruned back to 30-cm-lenght (12 inches) scaffold branches at the time of uprooting, in order to maintain an equilibrium with the dug out root system. The plants are dug out using special shovels called "vangas" with a ball of soil around the roots. Trained laborers can dig out 1 to 2 thousand plants in 8 hours, with root balls of 25 cm width and 35 cm length (10 by 14 inches). Pruning of the tap root and lateral roots when uprooting the plants is important to avoid bending at their extremities, which would hinder vigorous development of the plants. |
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| In addition, root pruning prevents curling and multiple regrowth of the taproot, which also limit full development of the plants. Multiple taproots compete for space, intermingle and occlude each other negatively affecting tree development later in its lifetime. Our field-grown or container-grown nursery trees have single, straight taproots which grow deep into the soil, resulting in vigorous, drought-resistant plants. | |
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