The giant bird of paradise, or Strelitzia nicolai, is a very heavy plant to remove because it is filled with water. The tree can reach heights of 15 to 25 feet. It gets its name from the spectacular orange flowers, which look like a bird with wings. The tree is very easy to transplant. If you want to remove it for transplantation the chances for success are high. The trick is to take as much of the root ball as possible and at least two-thirds of the tree. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Removing a Giant Bird of Paradise
1. Dig around all the thick fleshy roots to expose them with a shovel and pick. Expose as many roots as possible. Cut off all the long runners using the reciprocating saw.
2. Cut down about a third of the tree with a chain saw, leaving about two-thirds of the tree in the hole you dug. This will be used for leverage to pull the root ball out, because the root ball is so heavy you will need the extra lever action.
3. Wiggle the trunk back and forth. Push the remaining trunk all the way to one side and then to the other side until the root ball pops up. Cut away any hidden runners holding the tree in with the reciprocating saw.
4. Transplant the tree or chop it up and dispose of it.
Tags: root ball, Bird Paradise, Giant Bird Paradise, tree with, two-thirds tree