My city of Pune faces slow moving traffic every day as the existing roads become too small for the burgeoning number of vehicles. To accommodate them, roads are widened or new ones built which may require cutting trees.
Nature lovers rightly protest such tree removals but a solution to the traffic has to be found. Tree transplantation is an option in some cases.
I had only read about it but never actually seen the transplanted trees.
On a particularly long walk a couple of years ago, I spotted these huge Ficus with profuse budding and a strangely lopped off trunk. A little survey of the surroundings suggested that these trees may have been transplanted for road/Metro works … The burst of young leaves suggested that the move was a success!
Nature lovers rightly protest such tree removals but a solution to the traffic has to be found. Tree transplantation is an option in some cases.
I had only read about it but never actually seen the transplanted trees.
On a particularly long walk a couple of years ago, I spotted these huge Ficus with profuse budding and a strangely lopped off trunk. A little survey of the surroundings suggested that these trees may have been transplanted for road/Metro works … The burst of young leaves suggested that the move was a success!
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| There were several such tree trunks all planted in a row alongside a broad path. Notice that all branches had been cut off, just the main bole was planted |
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| This trunk obviously seems to have been put into a hole meant to accommodate the tree |
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| The root ball of this tree had a wet cloth tied around it |
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| A helmet forgotten by one of the workers perhaps… |
Obviously transplanting trees must be a costly project and the tree may not survive the move. Plus, if the tree is really old its roots may have invaded underground pipes, cables etc so uprooting would have the ensure these systems are not damaged.
Seeing these trees was most heartening. The move seemed to have succeeded.
What is your take on tree cutting for road widening? What is a Golden Middle Solution for the infrastructure stress issues that face our cities?
I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world, and better still, join in!
This is the last TTL post for 2019. Happy New Year everyone and have a ‘tree’mendous 2020! 🙂 🙂
My hope is that we get better at building around the trees that were there first and transplanting the smaller ones more likely to survive the move.
These trees were pretty huge and old . I need to revisit them to check their health now! I suppose, it is better to transplant smaller ones … Thanks for stopping by JoAnna and sharing your thoughts!
I think it is better to transplant them if possible rather than just chopping them down and killing them. It's such a shame though.
Hi Archana, I'd read about transplantation of trees but had not seen any pics so far. Thanks for sharing 🙂
There seems to be no perfect solution for the development vs nature dilemma. But mostly its the trees that take the cut, literally! Living in Bangalore, I've been witness to many such instances 🙁 Glad that people are now coming out and protesting when huge numbers are at stake.
I am saddened when trees have to be taken. I'm not sure that the types of trees that grow in my area would successfully survive transplanting. Some have very long taproots, which, if disturbed, cause the death of the tree. The root ball would hae to be dug up undisturbed, a very expensive process. It's sad to think money has to figure into the equation, but it has to – its our tax money. It does make me wonder if it is done in my area. I haven't seen it but I may not have seen enough of the process to know for sure.
Hi Priya!Random tree cutting should not be done. If roads/bridges etc can be built by working around and accommodating existing trees that should be the priority. I have read somewhere that tree transplanting is very expensive and may not be successful.. We need trees but we also need better infrastructure. What is the golden middle solution… very tough … Thanks for sharing your thoughts Priya!
Hi Alana. As you rightly said, tax payers money is used hence the decision must be as close to yielding successful results as possible. We need trees and also new broad roads.. A very difficult decision. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Alana!
You are right that there is the conundrum. Cities will have to expand to accommodate increasing population but it is sad to see trees axed. The environment takes a beating and that is not something we don't know. Transplantation seems to be one solution. But like you said, experts need to be involved and much care needs to be taken. I have heard of transplantation as a measure in Bangalore and I am hoping that there is success.
Thanks for sharing these pictures. Indeed heartening to see these trees survived.
Happy New Year, Archana. I am grateful to have your support through 2019 and I wish that continues in 2020 and beyond.
Happy to participate Parul! TTL gives me a glimpse of lovely trees from around the world … Any yes, I did go to this spot after a gap of two years and the trees are alive. In fact , more seem to have been transplanted and the new ones have been numbered.Maybe some one is keeping records …
I am glad to see the pictures of tree being transplanted, the first picture was very good and i felt happy but when i saw the other ones… i was not very sure whether this could be the solution. I don't like trees being cut… its happening every where for road widening sometimes even for buildings the trees are being cut. sometimes i feel so helpless.. as everything is happening so fast in the name of development.
Hi Angela.. I was quite busy hence could not respond to you comment earlier. I agree.. development is taking a toll on trees ….