THE GREATEST SMOKE TREE

Guy Sternberg, Starhill Forest, Petersburg, Illinois

Has a national champion tree ever been transplanted? If you had asked that question any time prior to 20 October 2000, the answer would have been no. But not anymore!

The largest American smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus) ever measured has been relocated out of harm's way. It grew on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where it was in the path of a multi-million dollar construction project. But the university received comments from concerned alumni and scientists around the world regarding the significance of the tree, and responded by transplanting it to a secure, albeit obscure, place at the south edge of the campus. The move was completed during 20-21 of October.

So, what is involved in a project of this type? First, there is the preparation phase. This includes evaluation to see if the project is physically feasible, and pruning and securing the crown against possible breakage during transport. Funding must be found, and the influence of doubters (like one old Purdue forester, who actually suggested that smoke trees have no great timber value so the tree was not worth moving!) must be overcome.

A new location needs to be selected and prepared, with construction access, subsurface drainage (smoke trees are very intolerant of poor drainage), irrigation, and a planting hole sufficient to accept the root ball. A travel route is selected to avoid weak pavements, bridges, and overhanging limbs and utilities. Overhead wires which cannot be avoided are scheduled to be temporarily moved.

Next comes the extraction phase. The soil surrounding the root mass is peeled back. The remaining root-ball of soil, as big as a small backyard, is stabilized with heavy wrapping and cables, and pipes are driven  under the entire root-ball. The crown is anchored to the pipes with down guys for stability.

Then comes the dramatic, oh-my-gosh phase. The tree, some 60 tons in weight, is lifted by a cable sling connected to the platform of pipes onto a heavy trailer. Oversized-load placards are placed on pilot vehicles, and traffic is blocked off. The tree moves down the road at a crawl to its new home, much in the fashion a house is moved. The special crane required to load and unload the tree must be brought in from out of state, together with several huge tractor-trailers. (It takes two tractor-trailers rigs just to haul the counterweights for the 200-ton crane!) Once in position, the tree is plucked gently from the trailer and lowered back into the ground.

With the tricky part completed, vigilance is the next step. Monitoring the tree's water and nutrient needs must continue for several years, until it has reestablished its root system and begins to resume normal growth. Biostimulants and mycorrhizal inoculation may be helpful in bolstering the tree's vigor, and the damaged roots will need to be guarded against attack by fungal pathogens. Interpretive signs, mulch, and perhaps some site furniture such as benches or unobtrusive fencing will be needed. Then the tree can take its place of honor on the university literature and website pages that describe the special trees of the campus.

If you would like to see the first national champion tree ever transplanted, choose a pretty day and drive to West Lafayette, Indiana. Follow State Street (Indiana Route 26) to Russell Avenue, turn south, and continue until you have crossed the railroad tracks. The smoke tree can be seen in the distance on your left, in a parkway south of the road next to the university shipping complex. There is parking available near the tree, and you can walk right up to it.

Bring your camera!