Peter Calleja
Horticultural Consultant
9 Kappara Court
Triq Il-Buqrajq, Kappara, San Gwann SGN 4055
Phone 27 385752 Mobile 99515151 email: [email protected]
Vat No. 1443 1130 Expt
th
DATE: 15 May 2015
To Whom It May Concern:
And
Mr Randolph Spiteri
ELC
Wied Incita
Attard.
Re:
Transplanting of Ficus nitida.
Location: St James Ditch.
I the undersigned Horticultural Consultant have been requested by Mr.Randolph
Spiteri to report on the method used for the up rooting and transplanting of the said
trees.
1. The Ficus nitida were to be pruned as necessary, which is general practice when
transplanting large tree species such as the Ficus nitida this helps in the tree loose
less moisture and makes it convenient and safe for mobility to the final site where it
will be transplanted. As a tree species the Ficus nitida is very resistant and I could
normally guarantee a 90% success rate in transplanting.
2. As one can see from the attached photos the trees were found to be growing with
the old tarmac and tree pit enclosures very close to the to the main trunk and thus
made excavation somewhat difficult and precarious. Bearing this in mind one has
to excavate around the trunk from a distance to a certain depth, then slowly tilt the
tree from side to side to excavate and lift the tree with the least possible damage,
this procedure had to be undertaken on most of the trees.
3. One must also understand that roots where stretched horizontally due to the lack
of depth of soil.
4. When the tilting procedure is used certain precautions have to be undertaken,
namely the trees in question, to be trunk protected using a cushioning material like
burlap or a thick geo-textile, also the machinery needs to be wrapped with the
same material and this was well undertaken both in excavation and transplanting
on this site.
5. All the trees were transported safely to their respective sites near the licensing
office in Floriana and the flyover area in Santa Venera.
6. Here the trees were planted with the same procedure by using the trunk protection
and special lifting slings. Tree basins are dug around the trees ready to be irrigated
accordingly.
7. The trees will now be irrigated on regular basis until such time that the tree will live
on its own means.
Peter Calleja
15th May 2015
Horticultural Consultant