TREE SHIFT

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 17th Year

Issue

Issue No.

3

Date Released

Nov 1963

Length of issue (in feet)

892

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1LINE UP
2. 2HIGH TATRAS
3. 3KENT’S BEST
4. 4TREE SHIFT

Story

Story No. within this Issue

4 / 4

Summary

BFI synopsis: 2 tree-planting machines imported from America show what can be done in transplanting large trees at an open-cast site.
NCB Commentary - The coal we need often lies just below the surface of the land.
Opencast mining is efficient and profitable. The disturbance of the land is only temporary, and it is restored as nearly as possible to its previous condition and appearance. Sometimes its fertility and amenity can be improved.
But one thing has up till now always defeated those who operate opencast sites - they could not save the hedges and trees. Three have always had to be destroyed, even when badly needed to screen the workings from houses overlooking them.
But now there is a new idea ...
From America two giant tree-planting machines have been flown in, and as a start they are to take some of the trees from the threatened Short Wood and replant them as a screen between the site and the nearby village.
The machine cuts around the tree to be moved.
Then it lifts the tree out - with the large compact rootball which is the secret of tree transplanting.
Lord Robens had invited a distinguished company along to watch the first trees ever to be mechanically transplanted in this country.
This travellng tree is making history.
Meanwhile another machine has dug a hole slightly larger than the rootball of the tree to planted in it.
Before the tree is eased into position the roots are usually watered. Then the soil is pushed in and tamped firm.
Some of the woodland which stands in the way of the opencast workings can now be saved. The trees will form a screen for the residents against the temporary devastation, the dust and the noise.
Quick and cheap, mechanical transplanting can be useful on factory sites and housing estates, on motorways - in fact, wherever trees can help preserve the amenities of Britain.

Keywords

Horticulture; Mining; Town and country planning

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for synopsis
The British National Film Catalogue   Vol.2 1964, p.55
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963

Credits:

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Production Co.

National Coal Board Film Unit