|
In the
harvest and shipping season of 2006 we here at Kuenzi Turf & Nursery made
several changes when excellent advice was given to us from one of our respected
buyers. The three largest changes were the addition of a Specimen
grade being added to our availability list, all trees larger than 2" caliper and
specimen grade will be spade dug, and implementing a more costly tree wrap to
prevent scaring of bark.
The
specimen grade addition was a step we felt was necessary to differentiate our
quality of tree from others in the market place. To learn and see what a
specimen trees looks like visit Emperor I
photos in our Ornamental Photos
page.
Upon
being asked to dig our larger upright Japanese Maples with a spade we have found
many new reasons why this has been a great shift in our operation. To see
the benefits of spade digging these large trees view the pictures below.
We have found when all things are considered the
spade dug tree is hands down containing more roots than a hand dug ball.
So once again our mission here at Kuenzi Turf & Nursery is accomplished of
growing, digging and shipping a quality tree to our customers that out performs
our competitors.
**Click
pictures to view an enlarged photo!
 |
| A better quality twine though more expensive
almost eliminates scared bark and allows our quality Japanese maples be
shipped in a quality fashion. |
 |
| All trees larger than 2" caliper and larger or
specimen are dug
with a Dutchman 28" spade and put into a 26" (22 degree) basket. With
the wire basket crimped the top dimension of the ball is 26", bottom
dimension of 16" and 20" tall. |
 |
| Notice the amount of large roots from this Acer
palmatum 'Bloodgood' that are still at the bottom of our 28" spade.
Digging with a spade allows us to capture more of these important tap roots
that you wouldn't be able to contain with a regular hand dug ball. |
 |
| Notice on a different Acer palmatum
'Bloodgood' there still are many roots coming out of our 28" spade. |
 |
| Here you can notice the amount of large caliper
roots that are on the side of the spade. When all things are
considered we are finding the spade dug tree is hands down containing
more roots than a hand dug ball. |
 |
| Shaping to ensure a quality looking spade dug
tree. |
 |
| Tightly crimping the basket to ensure a strong
protected ball to withstand shipping and transportation. |
 |
| A beautiful specimen Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood',
which is well balanced when dug with a 28" spade and put into a 26" (22
degree) basket. |
 |
| Our spade dug trees are loaded onto many pallets,
carefully pulled from the field and staged ready for shipment. |
 |
| Each spade dug tree is carefully lifted with a
forklift and from our loading dock carefully driven into a truck. |
 |
| The spade dug trees are tightly organized to
eliminate shifting during shipment. |
| 
