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depth of the soil-sand mixture was 0.45 m (10 inches), including 5 cm (2
inches) in
the bottom of the hole prior to placement of the tree root ball. The hole
diameter
was twice the size of the root ball to allow for the space along side the
tree's root
ball to receive the top soil-sand mix as well. This allowed for new roots
to grow
and develop (Pirone, 1988). The top of the root ball was level, or slightly
below
grade, to allow surface water to collect and the trees to adjust to the new
conditions.  Such careful handling and transplanting steps for each tree
are
expected to improve the success and survival of the trees. Pirone (1988)
mentions
that green ash has a higher transplantability than bald cypress, red maple
(medium),
and swamp oak (low). Optimal conditions may include an adequate water regime,
saturated soil conditions, and careful methods of transplanting.
The planting operation took place during the dormant winter season to reduce
leaf loss and desiccation. At planting time, the deciduous levels had not
started to
sprout. This advantage allowed the roots to develop and the trees to form
new
leaves during the spring.
Approximately 1,000 trees were delivered and planted daily. The trees were
placed in staging areas to be counted and checked for proper tree height,
degree of
root boundness, and the condition of the tree (windburn and desiccation,
if any).
Rejects were returned. The trees were then set out in grids using a tractor
and flat
bed trailer rig.  The proper numbers and types of trees were placed in the
designated grid near where they were to be planted, leaving approximately
a 33.04
m (10 feet) between trees.
Quality control was accomplished through visual inspections to ensure
adequate soil mixture was used and the trees were installed properly. Rejects
were
flagged by the inspector and rechecked at the end of the day. In areas where
there
was standing water, bamboo stakes were used to hold the planted trees in
place.
Small ties were used to secure the saplings to the bamboo pole to prevent
the trees
from falling over.
Nuisance Species Removal Considerations
To remove the nuisance species from the site, each area was systematically
inspected for exotic/nuisance species.  Nuisance species found on-site included
Primrose willow (Ludwigia peruviana), Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum ,
and the
Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifloiusl.  Some species were flagged
to
ensure each tree was located and removed to a staging area. The staging area
had a tarp on the ground where the nuisance species were placed during the
working day.  At the end of the day, the nuisance species were placed in
a
dumptruck and hauled to the landfill for disposal. Equipment used for this
operation
included a front-end loader, hand tools, backhoe, airboat, dumptruck, and
manual
labor. Careful considerations were needed to ensure that nuisance species
seeds
were not distributed or reentered into the disturbed site. The areas were
revisited to
ensure that all seeds were picked up from the ground to prevent any reseeding
of
the site.
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