Transplanting

Our Transplanting Services

The standard method of transplanting uses a mechanical tree spade to get the tree or shrub out of the ground. Matt has determined that 50% to 85% of the fibrous root mass is removed during conventional harvesting with mechanical tree spades, which causes what is commonly known as “transplant shock”. This reduces the chance of survival for a transplanted plant. 

Since 2008 the Foti Landscape crew have been considered pioneers in the development of Bare Root Transplanting (BRT) for large and small specimen trees and shrubs with the use of compressed air excavation tools. The process of BRT results in a loss of only 5-15% of the fibrous root mass, reducing or eliminating “transplant shock”. It also allows trees to be moved while in leaf, whereas conventional harvesting occurs primarily during dormancy in early spring or late fall. Not only does BRT retain almost twice as many roots as conventional harvesting, but it also reduces the total weight so that smaller machines can be used to move larger trees. 

Foti Landscape has become the go-to company not only for relocating trees in the Greater Boston area, but also teaching other companies and horticultural institutions throughout the United States and parts of Europe. We have successfully Bare Root Transplanted many specimen trees at prominent locations throughout Massachusetts that include the Boston Public Garden, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Wellesley College, Babson College, UMass Amherst and many more.