Shifted trees give a hint of being alive

Shifted trees give a hint of being alive

Govind D. Belgaumkar

The trees continue to be protected by winding rope around the trunk and branches

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

FOR POSTERITY: The transplanted trees showing signs of life.

BANGALORE: Even as thousands witness the official ceremonies to mark the 60th year of India’s Independence at the Manekshaw Parade Ground here on Wednesday, the new shoots of the four transplanted trees in its south-western corner will sway as if to say: “We are alive!”

The Tabebuia rosa trees were transplanted at the end of May in an exercise that was part of the excavations to make way for the much-awaited Metro Rail.

G. Govardhan, trustee and administrator of the Bangalore Environment Trust (BET), had said fresh leaves could appear in 45 days. But that began to happen within the next three or four weeks much to the happiness of everyone. On his part, SLV Prasad, horticulturist of Taj West End, who too had helped the operation, had anticipated it would take six months to two years for the tree to show signs of rejuvenation. “This is because we are not giving a greenhouse kind of atmosphere for it,” he had said.

The trees continue to be protected by winding rope around the trunk and branches and they are held on four sides lest they fall. It may take several months for the big trees to stand on their own because they will have to grow new roots.

The trees were transplanted by BET, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike with the expertise provided by Chennai-based Masterplan Landscape Architects.

In the first step workers reduced each of the trees to a vertical lump by chopping off most of its branches. The tree was then tied from three or four sides. Then the workers started digging the earth around the tree. Hours later and after reaching a depth of over 10-ft, the mother root was preserved as it was while the other roots were cut off. The roots so cut were treated with friendly chemicals so that they did not suffer damage because of sudden exposure to open air and sunlight. After being so salvaged, the trees were carefully shifted to the new venue using cranes and a lorry. At the new site, a nine-ft pit was dug. After carefully landing the tree in the pit, it [pit] was covered with sand. Experts explained that only sand was used to fill the pit because that would make it easier for the tree to branch off its roots in lose soil.

The BMRC has spent Rs. 2.5 lakh for the transplantation. Its Managing Director V. Madhu told The Hindu that more trees, if found to be of exotic species, would be transplanted instead of cutting them.